DE202017007634U1 - Heel spring device for footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for facilitating entry of a foot into an article of footwear and configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity at a heel region of the article of footwear, the device comprising:
a control bar, comprising:
a middle segment;
a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the middle segment; and
a lateral arm extending downward and forward from the middle segment;
wherein ends of the side arms widen in the longitudinal direction, the device including a medial end and a lateral end, and
wherein the medial side arm and the lateral side arm flex and the control bar pivots rearwardly to a loaded position under an applied force and stores potential energy that returns the control bar to an unloaded position after the applied force is removed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/413,062 , filed October 26, 2016, and also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/532,449 , filed July 14, 2017, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present teachings generally include a heel spring device for an article of footwear.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, placing shoes on a foot often requires the use of one or both hands to expand the ankle opening of a shoe upper and to support the rear portion during foot entry, particularly in the case of a relatively soft upper and/or an upper. which does not feature a heel counter attached to a flexible fabric behind the ankle opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• 1 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a heel spring device for a footwear article in an unloaded position.
• 2 is a schematic representation, in plan view, of the device of 1 with the loaded position of the device shown in dashed lines.
• 3 is a schematic representation, in rear view, of the device of 1 , which is attached to a sole layer, and shows the loaded position in dashed lines.
• 4 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary cross-sectional view, of the device and the sole layer of 3 along the lines 4-4 in 3 , and shows a flexible cover of a shoe upper attached to the device.
• 5 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary side view, of a lateral side of a footwear article, including the device, the shoe upper and the sole layer of 4 .
• 6 is a schematic representation, in a fragmentary side view, of a medial side of the footwear article from 5 .
• 7 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary side view, of a medial side of an alternative embodiment of a footwear article containing an alternative heel spring device.
• 8th is a schematic representation, in fragmentary side view, of a lateral side of the footwear article 7 .
• 9 is a schematic illustration, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a footwear article incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 10 is a schematic illustration, in side view, of a medial side of an alternative embodiment of a footwear article incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 11 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary side view, of a lateral side of an alternative embodiment of a footwear article incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 12 is a schematic representation, in rear view, of the footwear item from 11 .
• 13 is a schematic representation, in a fragmentary top view, of the footwear item from 11 .
• 14 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary cross-sectional view, of the footwear article from 13 along the line 14-14 in 13 .
• 15 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary side view, of a lateral side of an alternative embodiment of a footwear article incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 16 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary side view, of a lateral side of an alternative embodiment of a footwear article incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 17 is a schematic illustration, in fragmentary perspective side view, of a lateral side alternative embodiment of a footwear article incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 18 is a schematic representation, in a perspective rear view, of the footwear item from 17 .
• 19 is a schematic illustration, in fragmentary perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 20 is a schematic illustration, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a footwear article incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 21 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of the heel spring device of 20 .
• 22 is a schematic representation, in another or further perspective view, of the heel spring device of 21 , and shows a loaded position in dashed lines.
• 23 shows representative plots of force in Newtons versus displacement in millimeters during loading and unloading of heel spring devices within the scope of the present teachings.
• 24 is a schematic illustration, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a footwear article incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 25 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of the heel spring device of 24 .
• 26 is a schematic illustration, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a footwear article incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 27 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of the heel spring device of 26 .
• 28 is a schematic illustration, in side view, of a medial side of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device for a footwear article.
• 29 is a schematic representation, in rear view, of the heel spring device of 28 .
• 30 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device for a footwear article.
• 31 is a schematic representation, in side view, of a lateral side of the heel spring device of 30 .
• 32 is a schematic illustration, in fragmentary perspective side view, of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 33 is a schematic illustration, in fragmentary perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear incorporating an alternative heel spring device.
• 34 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device for a footwear article.
• 35 is a schematic representation, in rear view, of the heel spring device of 34 attached to a shoe upper.
• 36 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device for a footwear article.
• 37 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a footwear article with the heel spring device of 36 in an unloaded position.
• 38 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of the footwear item from 37 with the heel spring device in a loaded position.
• 39 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a footwear article with an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 40 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of the footwear item from 39 with the heel spring device in a loaded position.
• 41 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device for a footwear article.
• 42 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a footwear article with the heel spring device of 41 in an unloaded position.
• 43 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of the footwear item from 42 with the heel spring device in a loaded position.
• 44 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device for a footwear article.
• 45 is a schematic representation, in a fragmentary perspective view, a footwear item with the heel spring device from 44 in an unloaded position.
• 46 is a schematic representation, in a fragmentary perspective view, of the footwear item from 45 with the heel spring device in a loaded position.
• 47 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device for a footwear article.
• 48 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary perspective view, of a footwear article with the heel spring device of 47 in an unloaded position.
• 49 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a footwear article with an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position and the loaded position shown in dashed lines.
• 50 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary side view, of a footwear article with an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 51 is a schematic representation, in a fragmentary side view, of the footwear item from 50 with the heel spring device in a loaded position.
• 52 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position and shows in dashed lines a fragmentary upper and sole structure.
• 53 is a schematic representation, in side view, of a footwear article with an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position and shows a loaded position in dashed lines.
• 54 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary perspective view, of a footwear article with an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 55 is a schematic representation, in perspective side view, of the lateral side of the heel spring device of 54 in an unloaded position.
• 56 is a schematic representation, in perspective side view, of the heel spring device of 54 in a stressed position.
• 57 is a schematic representation of the heel spring device of 54 .
• 58 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heel spring device of 57 along lines 58-58 in 57 .
• 59 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary side view, of a section of the footwear article from 54 including a strap attached to a top.
• 60 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary view, of a section of the belt of 59 .
• 61 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a footwear article with an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 62A is a schematic representation, in perspective side view, of the heel spring device of 61 in an unloaded position.
• 62B is a schematic representation, in perspective side view, of the heel spring device of 62A in a stressed position.
• 63 is a schematic representation, in perspective rear view, of the heel spring device of 61 removed in an unloaded position and a compressible insert.
• 64 is a schematic representation, in perspective medial view, of the compressible insert of the heel spring device of 61 in an unloaded position.
• 65 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heel spring device of 66 along lines 65-65 in 66 .
• 66 is a schematic representation of the heel spring device of 61 .
• 67 is a schematic representation, in fragmentary perspective view, of a footwear article with an alternative embodiment of a heel spring in an unloaded position.
• 68 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a footwear article with an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 69 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of the heel spring device of 68 in an unloaded position.
• 70 is a schematic representation, in front view, of the heel spring device of 69 .
• 71A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heel spring device of 70 along lines 71A-71A in 70 .
• 71B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heel spring device of 71A in a stressed position.
• 72 is a schematic representation, in perspective rear view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 73 is a schematic representation, in perspective rear view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 74 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of a footwear article with an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 75 is a schematic representation, in perspective side view, of the heel spring device of 74 in an unloaded position.
• 76 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the heel spring device of 75 along lines 76-76 in 75 .
• 77 is a schematic representation, in side view, of the heel spring device of 74 in an unloaded position.
• 78 is a schematic representation of the heel spring device of 74 in a stressed position.
• 79 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 80 is a schematic representation in the lateral side of a footwear article with the heel spring device of 79 .
• 81 is a schematic representation of the medial side of the footwear item from 80 .
• 82 is a schematic representation, in rear view, of the footwear item from 80 .
• 83 is a top view of a midsole of the footwear article of 80 .
• 84 is a top view of the midsole of 83 with the heel spring device from 79 housed in a recess in the midsole.
• 85 is a schematic representation, in perspective view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device in an unloaded position.
• 86 is a schematic representation, in another or further perspective view, of the heel spring device of 85 .
• 87 is a schematic representation of a footwear article with the heel spring device of 85 and shows a top in dashed lines.
• 88 is a schematic fragmentary top view of arms of the heel spring device of 85 connected to a component of a shoe upper.
• 89 is a schematic top view representation of a midsole of the footwear article of 87 .
• 90 is a schematic representation, in plan view, of the heel spring device of 85 in a recess in the midsole 89 accommodated.
• 91 is a fragmentary exploded view of the heel spring device of 85 , in which a tab of the upper extends through an opening in the heel spring device and shows a pin.
• 92 is a fragmentary view of the heel spring device of 85 , with the tab secured in a loop and the pin inserted into the loop.
• 93 is a schematic representation, in plan view, of an alternative embodiment of a heel spring device.
• 94 is a schematic representation, in rear view, of an article of footwear with the heel spring device of 93 .

DESCRIPTION

Heel spring devices that facilitate foot entry into an article of footwear are disclosed herein. Each of the heel spring devices can provide hands-free entry for the foot, for example by loading the heel spring device with the foot to form a foot receiving cavity from a rearward position accessible and by pushing the foot forward and downward into the foot receiving cavity.

Within the scope of the present disclosure, a device for facilitating entry of a foot into a foot receiving cavity of a footwear article is configured to surround a portion of the foot receiving cavity at a heel region of a footwear article and includes a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm, located extends from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment. A continuous base may support the control bar and may be connected to both the first side arm and the second side arm. The control bar is biased to an unloaded position in which the center segment is at a first distance from the base and elastically deforms under an applied force to a loaded position in which the center segment is at a second distance from the base that is less than that first distance is. The device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position after the applied load is removed.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the base is connected to the first side arm at a first hinge and the base is connected to the second side arm at a second hinge. The joints can be referred to as hinge joints or as a hinge connection.

The device, including the control bar and base, may be a single, unitary, one-piece component. For example, in one or more embodiments, the control bar has an arc shape and the base has an arc shape. Accordingly, the control bar and base are configured as a fully elliptical leaf spring.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the base includes a center segment, a first base arm, and a second base arm, all disposed in a common plane. The first base arm is spaced apart from the second base arm and both extend from the center segment of the base. The first base arm and the first side arm are connected at the first joint. The second base arm and the second side arm are connected at the second joint. The first side arm and the second side arm extend at an acute angle to the common plane of the base when the control bar is in the unloaded position. The first side arm and the second side arm extend at a second acute angle to the common plane of the base when the control bar is depressed. The second acute angle is smaller than the first acute angle.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the first side arm and the second side arm deflect apart when the control bar is in the loaded position. When a shoe upper is attached to the side arms, a foot receiving cavity of the shoe upper is opened further as the side arms bend apart, further facilitating entry of the foot into the foot receiving cavity.

In one or more embodiments of the device, one of the control bar or base has an extension that extends toward the other of the control bar or base. The extension is spaced apart from the other of the control bar and base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and contacts the other of the control bar and base when the control bar is in the loaded position, thereby limiting further depression of the control bar. The extension thus limits the extent of deformation, for example by preventing the second angle from becoming too small, thereby preventing plastic deformation.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the central segment of the control bar has an extension that extends toward the base, and the base has a recess. The extension is spaced from the base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and extends into the recess when the control bar is pushed into the loaded position. The connection of the control bar and the base via the extension and the recess also limits lateral movement of the control bar relative to the base.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the center segment of the control bar has a ramp-shaped surface that slopes toward the inner circumference of the center segment between the first side arm and the second side arm. The ramped surface helps direct the foot downward and forward into the foot receiving cavity while applying downward force to the control bar.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the first side arm and the second side arm are each along their respective Longitudinal axis twisted outwards from the base to the middle segment of the control bar. The outward twist helps support the downward and backward movement of the mid-segment under foot load.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the first side arm and the second side arm are asymmetrical about a longitudinal axis that extends through the base between the first side arm and the second side arm. For example, the first side arm can be a medial side arm and the second side arm can be a lateral side arm. The medial arm may be shorter than the lateral arm and may have a greater lateral curvature than the lateral arm, similar to the shape of a typical heel region of a foot.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the base has an inwardly extending flange. For example, the flange can sit in the recess and be attached to the foot receiving surface of a shoe sole structure in a heel region of the sole structure.

In one or more embodiments of the device, a shoe sole structure may have an outer wall with a recess in the heel region, and the base of the device may sit at least partially in the recess and be attached to the outer wall of the sole structure.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the base may lie beneath the control bar, with the first side arm located on a medial side of a shoe upper defining at least a portion of an ankle opening, and the second side arm located on a lateral side of the shoe upper, and the middle segment the control bar behind the ankle opening of a shoe upper.

In one or more embodiments of the device, a foremost portion of an inner surface of the first side arm includes a medial recess such that the first side arm is thinner at the medial recess than behind the medial recess, and a foremost portion of an inner surface of the second side arm contains a lateral recess, so that the second side arm is thinner at the lateral recess than behind the lateral recess. The upper part can be attached to the medial recess on the first side arm and to the lateral recess on the second side arm.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the center segment includes an opening and the upper includes a tab extending through the opening. The tab may be attached to a rear portion of the shoe upper. A pin may be attached to the tab behind the opening. The tab with the pin on it can be wider than the opening so that the tab is anchored to the center segment by the pin.

In one or more embodiments of the device, a lever may extend outwardly from the control bar. The lever can make it easier to push down the control bar.

In one or more embodiments, the heel device comprises a bladder element with one or more fluid-filled inner cavities. The one or more fluid-filled interior cavities may include cavities that extend along the center segment. The cavities that extend along the center segment may also extend along the first side arm or the second side arm or both, and may be tubular or otherwise shaped. The one or more fluid-filled interior cavities may also include one or more reservoirs located on one or both of the first side arm or the second side arm and in fluid communication with the cavities extending along the center segment. The one or more reservoirs expand as fluid is displaced from the cavities extending along the center segment as the heel spring device elastically deforms under the applied force.

The base of the device may be attached to a flexible shoe upper that defines at least a portion of an ankle opening such that the base lies under the control bar, with the first side arm on a medial side of the shoe upper, the second side arm on a lateral side of the shoe upper, and the middle segment of the control bar is behind the ankle opening. The base may extend around a rearmost portion of the shoe upper from the lateral side to the medial side. The control bar can be embedded in the upper part of the shoe.

The flexible shoe upper may define a foot receiving cavity (also referred to as a foot receiving cavity), and the base may underlie the foot receiving cavity. The base may be coupled to the forwardmost portions of the first side arm and the second side arm. The base may extend rearwardly from the control bar, the base may extend forward from the control bar, or the base may extend from The control bar extends both backwards and forwards.

In one or more embodiments, the base includes a forwardly extending projection underlying the foot receiving cavity adjacent the medial side of the shoe upper and a rearwardly extending projection underlying the foot receiving cavity along the lateral side of the shoe upper.

In one or more embodiments, a sole structure is attached to the shoe upper and underlies the foot receiving cavity. The sole structure has a foot-facing surface with a recess, the base has a main portion and a protrusion extending from the main portion, and the protrusion is configured to seat in the recess.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the middle segment of the control bar has an opening. A heel pull tab of a shoe upper may extend through the opening to further secure the shoe upper to the device. The device may have thinned portions that allow the device to be sewn to the shoe upper through the thinned portions.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the control bar is embedded in the shoe upper. For example, the device can be covered or covered by and between layers of a flexible cover of the shoe upper.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the base of the device is a sole structure of a footwear article. In another embodiment of the device, the base is a flexible shoe upper. In such an embodiment, the upper part ensures a resilient bend at the connection point with the control bar.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the first side arm and the second side arm each have at least one slot extending therethrough. In one or more embodiments, the at least one slot extending through the first side arm may extend through the first side arm along a length of the first side arm, and the at least one slot extending through the second side arm may extend through the second side arm extend along a length of the second side arm. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one slot extending through the first side arm extends transversely to a length of the first side arm, and the at least one slot extending through the second side arm extends transversely to a length of the second side arm .

Within the scope of the present disclosure, a heel spring device for facilitating entry of a foot into a footwear article is configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity at a heel region of a footwear article and includes a control bar and a base underlying the control bar. In one or more embodiments, the control bar includes a series of slats. Each lamella has a middle segment, a medial side arm extending from the middle segment to a medial end connected to a medial side of the base, and a lateral side arm extending from the middle segment to a lateral end connected to connected to a lateral side of the base. The control bar is biased to an unloaded position and, under an applied force, elastically bends to a loaded position in which at least one center segment is closer to the base than in the unloaded position, thereby storing potential energy that moves the control bar to the unloaded position returns position when the applied load is removed. For example, the control bar and base may be configured as a fully elliptical leaf spring.

The device stores potential energy, such as elastic energy and/or spring energy, which returns the control bar to the unloaded position after removal of the applied load. As used herein, elastic bending may also be referred to as resilient bending and includes resilient deformation or elastic deformation. For example, a foot can press on the control bar and slide into the foot receiving cavity of an attached shoe upper without requiring a hand or tool to adjust the upper for foot entry.

In one or more embodiments of the device, the control bar defines slots that extend between the slats. The slats are spaced apart by the slots when the control bar is in the unloaded position. The slots can close between the slats so that one or more adjacent center segments contact each other in the loaded position. The slots can be parallel to each other and outsides of the slats can be flush with one another in the unloaded position.

In one or more embodiments of the device, a lowermost one of the lamellae, which is closest to the base at the middle segment, is shorter from the medial end to the lateral end than a topmost one of the lamellae, which is furthest from the middle segment. In one or more embodiments, the lowest of the slats is thinner than the top of the slats. In one or more embodiments of the device, one of the lowest slats has a tab extending from a lower edge of the center segment. The outer surface of the base may include a peripheral recess extending from a lower edge of the base. For example, the circumferential recess can accommodate a flange of a sole structure.

In one or more embodiments of the device, a resilient insert at least partially fills the slots. The elastic insert may comprise a resiliently compressible material, for example at least one of rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane, and may be a foam, but is not limited to these materials. The resilient insert may include a sleeve extending along an interior surface of the slats and spaced projections extending from the sleeve into the slots. In one or more embodiments of the device, the resilient insert is configured as a bellows that extends outwardly between the slats from an inside of the slats.

Within the scope of the present disclosure, a heel spring device for facilitating entry of a foot into a footwear article is configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity at a heel region of a footwear article, and includes an elastic corrugated body having a center segment, a medial side arm extending from the center segment extending forward, and a lateral arm extending forward from the middle segment. The corrugated body may contain alternating ribs and grooves extending lengthwise along the medial arm, middle segment, and lateral arm. The corrugated body is biased to an unloaded position and is compressed under an applied force to a loaded position in which adjacent ones of the alternating ribs are closer together than in the unloaded position, thereby storing elastic energy that moves the corrugated body into returns to the unloaded position when the applied load is removed.

For example, the corrugated body can comprise a bellows. The ribs may be folds of the bellows and the grooves may be folds of the bellows. The corrugated body may be an elastically deformable material, for example at least one of rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane, and may be an elastic foam (e.g., a polymer foam material, etc.), but is not limited to these materials.

In one or more embodiments of the device, a first set of the ribs and grooves extends from the medial side arm to the lateral side arm and a second set of the ribs and grooves extends only along the central segment.

The device may include an upper flange extending along a top edge of the corrugated body at the mid-segment and may further include a lower flange extending along a lower edge of the corrugated body at the medial arm, the mid-segment and the lateral arm.

Within the scope of the present teachings, an article of footwear includes an upper that defines at least a portion of an ankle opening, a sole structure attached to and underlying the upper, and a heel spring device. The heel spring device may include a center segment attached to the upper back of the ankle opening, a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment, a lateral side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment, and a base , which is connected to both the medial arm and the lateral arm. The base may be attached to the sole structure. The center segment is biased to an unloaded position and the heel spring device elastically deforms under an applied force to a loaded position in which the center segment is closer to the base than in the unloaded position. The heel spring device stores elastic energy that returns the center segment to the unloaded position after removal of the applied load, and the upper moves with the center segment so that the ankle opening is closer to the sole structure when the center segment is in the loaded position than when the middle segment is in the unloaded position.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the sole structure includes a midsole and the base is partially embedded in the midsole.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the medial side arm is on attached to a medial side of the upper part and the lateral side arm is attached to a lateral side of the upper part. The medial sidearm and lateral sidearm can bend laterally outward and away from each other when the middle segment is in the loaded position, widening the ankle opening.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the center segment is spaced from the base in the unloaded position, and the device is characterized by the absence of a rigid heel counter between the center segment and the base behind a junction between the medial side arm and the base and behind a junction between the lateral branch and the base.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the medial side arm and the lateral side arm are each twisted outwards along their respective longitudinal axis from the base to the middle segment.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, one of the center segment and base has an extension that extends at least partially toward the other of the center segment and base. The extension is spaced apart from the other of the center segment and base when the center segment is in the unloaded position. The extension can extend from the middle segment at least partially towards the base. The base can have a recess. The extension may be spaced from the base when the center segment is in the unloaded position and may extend into the recess when the center segment is in the loaded position.

In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the extension extends from the center segment at least partially to the base, and the article of footwear further includes a strap having a proximal end attached to the upper and a pocket at a distal end. The extension is located in the pocket. The belt can be located outside the middle segment.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, an outer surface of the base has a peripheral recess extending from a lower edge of the base. The sole structure has a flange that sits in the circumferential recess.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the heel spring device comprises a bladder element with one or more fluid-filled inner cavities. The one or more fluid-filled interior cavities may include cavities that extend along the center segment. The cavities that extend along the middle segment may also extend along the medial arm or the lateral arm or both and may be tubular or otherwise shaped. The one or more fluid-filled internal cavities may also include one or more reservoirs located on either or both of the medial side arm and the lateral side arm and in fluid communication with the cavities extending along the middle segment. The one or more reservoirs expand as fluid is displaced from the cavities extending along the center segment as the heel spring device elastically deforms under the applied force.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the center segment has a ramp-shaped surface that slopes toward the inner circumference of the center segment between the medial side arm and the lateral side arm. In one or more embodiments, the heel spring device is a single, unitary, one-piece component.

In one or more embodiments, a shoe upper includes a flexible cover that defines at least a portion of an ankle opening. The shoe upper includes a heel spring device comprising a control bar having a center segment attached to the flexible cover behind the ankle opening, a medial side arm extending from the center segment and attached to a medial side of the flexible cover, and a lateral side arm extends from the center segment and is attached to a lateral side of the flexible cover. The heel spring device may further include a continuous base that supports the control bar and is connected to both the medial side arm and the lateral side arm. The control bar is biased to an unloaded position with the center segment at a first distance from the base, the control bar elastically deforms under an applied force to a loaded position in which the center segment is at a second distance from the base that is less than that first distance, and the device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position after removal of the applied load.

In one or more embodiments of the shoe upper, the flexible cover is a resiliently stretchable fabric, and the shoe upper further includes a collar attached to the flexible cover and defining a front portion of the ankle opening. The collar is stiffer than the elastic stretchy fabric.

In one or more embodiments, the shoe upper further includes a heel pull tab attached to the flexible cover. The center segment of the control bar has an opening and the heel pull tab extends through the opening.

In one or more embodiments of the shoe upper, the medial side arm and the lateral side arm flex laterally outward and away from each other when the center segment is in the loaded position, expanding the ankle opening of the flexible cover.

In one or more embodiments, the shoe upper is characterized by the absence of a rigid heel counter between the control bar and the base behind a junction between the control bar and the base.

In one or more embodiments of the shoe upper, the medial side arm and the lateral side arm are each twisted outwards along their respective longitudinal axis from the base to the middle segment of the control bar.

In one or more embodiments of the shoe upper, one of the control bar or base has an extension that extends toward the other of the control bar or base. The extension is spaced apart from the other of the control bar and base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and contacts the other of the control bar and base when the control bar is in the loaded position, thereby limiting further depression of the control bar.

In one or more embodiments of the shoe upper, the center segment of the control bar has an extension that extends toward the base, and the base has a recess. The extension is spaced from the base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and extends into the recess when the control bar is in the loaded position.

In one or more embodiments, the shoe upper comprises a bladder element with one or more inner cavities filled with fluid. The one or more fluid-filled interior cavities may include cavities that extend along the center segment. The cavities that extend along the middle segment may also extend along the medial arm or the lateral arm or both and may be tubular or otherwise shaped. The one or more fluid-filled internal cavities may also include one or more reservoirs located on either or both of the medial side arm and the lateral side arm and in fluid communication with the cavities extending along the middle segment. The one or more reservoirs expand as fluid is displaced from the cavities extending along the center segment as the heel spring device elastically deforms under the applied force.

In one or more embodiments of the shoe upper, the center segment of the control bar has a ramp-shaped surface that slopes toward the inner circumference of the center segment between the medial side arm and the lateral side arm.

In one or more embodiments of the shoe upper, the heel spring device is a single, unitary, one-piece component.

In one or more embodiments, an article of footwear includes an upper that includes a flexible cover that defines at least a portion of an ankle opening. The article of footwear further includes a sole structure attached to and underlying the upper and a heel spring device. The heel spring device may include a control bar having a center segment attached to the flexible cover behind the ankle opening, a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment, and a lateral side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment , include. The heel spring device may further include a continuous base that supports the control bar and is connected to both the medial side arm and the lateral side arm. The base may be attached to the sole structure. The control bar is biased to an unloaded position with the center segment at a first distance from the base, the control bar elastically deforms under an applied force to a loaded position in which the center segment is at a second distance from the base that is less than that first distance, and the device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position after removal of the applied load. The flexible cover moves with the control bar.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the sole structure includes a midsole and the base is partially embedded in the midsole. In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the medial side arm is attached to a medial side of the flexible cover and the lateral side arm is attached to a lateral side of the flexible cover. In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the medial side arm and the lateral side arm flex laterally outward and away from each other when the center segment is in the loaded position, expanding the ankle opening of the flexible cover. In one or more embodiments of the article of footwear, the article of footwear is characterized by the absence of a rigid heel counter between the control bar and the base behind a junction between the control bar and the base.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the medial side arm and the lateral side arm are each twisted outwards along their respective longitudinal axis from the base to the middle segment of the control bar. In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, one of the control bar and base has an extension that extends toward the other of the control bar and base. The extension is spaced apart from the other of the control bar and base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and contacts the other of the control bar and base when the control bar is in the loaded position, thereby limiting further depression of the control bar.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the extension extends from the center segment of the control bar to the base, the base has a recess, and the extension is spaced from the base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and projects into the Recess when the control bar is in the loaded position. In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the center segment of the control bar has a ramp-shaped surface that slopes to an inner circumference of the center segment between the medial side arm and the lateral side arm. In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, the device is a single, unitary, one-piece component.

In one or more embodiments, an article of footwear includes an upper having a flexible cover defining at least a portion of an ankle opening, a sole structure attached to and underlying the upper, and a heel spring device. The heel spring device may include a control bar having a center segment attached to the flexible cover behind the ankle opening, a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper, and a lateral side arm extending from the Middle segment extends downward and forward along a medial side of the shoe upper. The heel spring device may further include a mechanical spring operatively connected to the control bar and biasing the control bar to an unloaded position. The control bar can pivot rearwardly to a loaded position under an applied force, with potential energy stored in the spring, which returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load, with the flexible cover moving with the control bar.

In one or more embodiments of the footwear article, a pin is connected to both the medial side arm and the lateral side arm and extends through the sole structure. The spring is wrapped around the pin and has one end pivotally connected to the control bar and another end secured relative to the control bar.

In one or more embodiments, an article of footwear includes an upper having a flexible cover defining at least a portion of an ankle opening, and a sole structure attached to and underlying the upper. The footwear article may further comprise a heel spring device. The heel spring device may include a rear control bar having a center segment attached to the flexible cover behind the ankle opening, a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper, and a lateral side arm. which extends downward and forward from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper. The heel spring device may further include a front bar having a center segment attached to the flexible cover in front of the ankle opening, a medial side arm extending downward and rearwardly from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper, and a side side arm , which extends downward and rearward from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper. The front bar and the rear control bar may intersect and be attached to each other on the lateral side of the shoe upper and on the medial side of the shoe upper. The rear control bridge pivots rearward to a loaded position under an applied force and stores potential energy that returns the front web to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load, with the flexible cover moving with the rear control web.

Within the scope of the present teachings, an article of footwear includes an upper having a flexible cover defining at least a portion of an ankle opening, a sole structure attached to and underlying the upper, and a heel spring device. The heel spring device may include a control bar and a continuous base. The control bar may include a center segment attached to the flexible cover behind the ankle opening, a medial side arm extending from the center segment and attached to a medial side of the flexible cover, and a lateral side arm extending from the center segment and is attached to a lateral side of the flexible cover. The base can support the control bar and can be connected to both the medial side arm and the lateral side arm and attached to the sole structure. The control bar is biased to an unloaded position with the center segment at a first distance from the base and elastically deflects under an applied force to a loaded position in which the center segment is at a second distance from the base that is less than the first distance is. The device stores potential energy such as elastic energy and/or spring energy, potential energy such as elastic energy and/or spring energy, which returns the control bar to the unloaded position after removal of the applied load, with the flexible cover moving with the control bar.

With reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like components 1 a device 10 for facilitating the entry of a foot into a footwear article 12, which is in 5 and 6 is shown. The footwear is presented herein as a casual shoe and an athletic shoe, but the present teachings also include an article of footwear that is a dress shoe, a work shoe, a sandal, a loafer, a boot, or any other category of footwear.

The device 10 is configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity 47 at a heel region 13 of a footwear article 12, as shown in FIG 5 shown. The heel region 13 generally includes portions of the footwear article 12 that correspond to the rear portions of a human foot including the heel bone when the human foot is supported on the sole structure 32 in the foot receiving cavity 47, and is a size that corresponds to the footwear article 12. A forefoot area 15 of the footwear article 12 (best based on the footwear article 312, 3212 and 3312 in the 10 , 80 and 87 shown) generally includes portions of the footwear article 12 corresponding to the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals to the phalanges of the human foot (referred to herein interchangeably as “metatarsal-phalangeal joints” or “MPJ” joints). A metatarsal area 17 of the footwear article 12 (best based on the footwear article 312, 3212 and 3312 in 10 , 80 and 87 shown) is located between the heel region 13 and the forefoot region 15 and generally includes portions of the footwear article 12 that correspond to an arch region of the human foot including the navicular joint.

The device 10 includes a control bar 14 having a center segment 16, a first side arm 18 extending downward and forward from the center segment 16, and a second side arm 20 spaced from the first side arm 18 and also extending downward and extends forward from the middle segment 16. The first side arm 18 is a medial side arm and the second side arm 20 is a lateral side arm.

The device 10 also contains a base 22 which supports or carries the control bar 14 and is connected to the control bar 14 at a resiliently flexible connection point 24A, 24B. The base 22 is continuous and extends between and is connected to the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20. The base 22 is continuous in that it extends from the first side arm 18 to the second side arm 20 without interruptions or connections by other components. The base 22 includes a center segment 26, a first base arm 28 and a second base arm 30, all arranged in a common plane. The common plane P is parallel to a horizontal surface when the base 22 of the device 10 rests on a horizontal surface, and is best in 3 indicated by the dashed line P, which represents the plane perpendicular to the side of the drawing. The first base arm 28 is spaced apart from the second base arm 30 and both extend from the center segment 26 of the base 22. As in 2 shown, the base 22 is located slightly below the control bar 14, which provides stability to the device 10 when pressed down.

The connection point 24A, 24B contains a first joint 24A on which the base 22 and the first side arm 18 are connected, and a second joint 24B to which the base 22 and the second side arm 20 are connected. The first joint 24A is the connection of the first base arm 28 with the first side arm 18. The second joint 24B is the connection of the second base arm 30 with the second side arm 20.

The control bar 14 has an arc shape from the first joint 24A to the second joint 24B. Similarly, the base 22 has an arc shape from the first hinge 24A to the second hinge 24B. In this arrangement, the control bar 14 and base 22 are configured as a fully elliptical leaf spring as described herein. The device may be referred to as a heel spring. Furthermore, the device 10 is a single, unitary, one-piece component. For example, the device 10 may be injection molded as a single, one-piece component.

The control bar 14 is biased into an unloaded position, as in 1 , 2 and 3 shown. The unloaded position is also referred to as the unloaded position. The control bar 14 is internally biased into the unstressed position by its material in its formed state. In other words, the material of the control bar 14 is sufficiently rigid that it remains in its natural state in the unloaded position without external stress acting on it, and will return to the unloaded position after elastic bending due to its resilience. In the unloaded position, the center segment 16 is at a first distance D1 from the base 22, as shown in 3 indicated by a distance D1 from the top of the middle segment 16 to the bottom of the base 22. The unloaded position is the position of the device 10 in a relaxed, unloaded state (ie, without a vertical force applied to the control bar 14). The control bridge 14 can be under one in 4 shown applied force F, which represents the force exerted by a foot 46 when inserting the foot 46 into a foot receiving cavity 47 (see 5 and 6 ) of the footwear article 12 is exercised. Under such a load, the control web 14 bends elastically into a loaded position in which the middle segment 16 has a second distance D2 from the base 22. The device 10 is in 3 marked with dashed lines and the reference numeral 10A when in the loaded position. The second distance D2 is smaller than the first distance D1. The difference between the distances D1, D2 is the deflection of the device 10, which can be a deflection of 30 mm, but is not limited to this. The device 10 is configured so that when forced under force into the loaded position D2, it bends elastically at the junction 24A, 24B, storing elastic energy. When the force F is removed, the stored elastic energy returns the control bar 14 to the unloaded position. In 3 only the device 10 and the sole structure 32 are shown. The top 38 described herein has been removed for improved clarity in illustrating the positions of the device 10, 10A.

As in 5 and 6 As shown, the footwear article 12 includes a sole structure 32 and an upper 38 attached to the sole structure 32. The sole structure 32 contains one or more sole components, which can be sole layers 34, for example a cover or outsole, a midsole, or a uniform combination of an outsole and a midsole, which can be referred to as a uni-sole . In 5 and 6 The sole layer 34 can be a midsole or a uni-sole. The sole layer 34 lies beneath the upper 38. A lower portion 40 of the shoe upper 38 is attached to the sole layer 34, for example by adhesive or other means. The base 22 is attached to the sole layer 34, for example by adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, or other means. The sole layer 34 may be provided with slight recesses on the outer surface, which are shaped so that the base 22 and the connection points 24A, 24B can be partially located in the recesses, thereby being further supported by the sole layer 34. are worn.

The flexible shoe upper 38 defines at least a portion of an ankle opening 39. The base 22 lies under the control bar 14 and is attached to the shoe upper 38, with the first side arm 18 being attached to a medial side 41 of the shoe upper 38 and the second side arm 20 to one lateral side 43 of the shoe upper 38 is attached. Like best in 5 and 6 stated, the base 22 extends around a rearmost portion of the shoe upper from the lateral side 43 to the medial side 41. The middle segment 16 of the control bar 14 is attached to the shoe upper 38 behind the ankle opening 39. The device 10 may have a thinned section 45 (preferably in 3 shown), which allows machine sewing of the upper part 38 to the device at the thinned section 45.

The top 38 may include a flexible cover 42 (also referred to as a flexible top layer) for receiving and covering a foot 46 (in 4 specified) included on the soles Layer 34 is to be supported or carried. The cover 42 may be made of a stretchy fabric, such as a 4-way stretch nylon fabric, that provides a lightweight, breathable feel. The article of footwear 12 is characterized by the absence of a rigid heel cup between the control bar 14 and the base 22 behind the junction 24A, 24B between the control bar 14 and the base 22. The device 10 functions, at least in some respects, as a heel cup in that it does so helps hold a wearer's heel in position on a heel portion of the sole structure and prevent medial or lateral displacement during use. Since the device 10 is attached to the flexible cover 42, the device 10 together with the flexible cover 42 of the upper part 38 can be referred to as a shoe upper part. In other words, the device 10 may be viewed as a component of a multicomponent shoe upper that also includes the flexible cover 42 and other components of the footwear article. The multi-component shoe upper can also be referred to as a shoe upper assembly.

Traditionally, slipping a foot into an upper often requires the use of one or both hands to widen the ankle opening and hold the rear portion in place during foot entry, particularly in the case of a relatively soft upper and/or an upper that does not have a heel counter , which is attached to the flexible fabric behind the ankle opening. The device 10 eliminates these problems and allows the foot 46 to enter a foot receiving cavity 47 formed by the upper part 38 without the use of hands or other tools. Only the foot 46 is used for entry. In particular, a force F is exerted using the underside of the foot 46 to press on the control bar 14, as in 4 shown, thereby resiliently bending the device at the joints 24A, 24B, which moves the control bar 14 from the unloaded position to the loaded position represented by the control bar in position 14A. The upper part 38 is attached to the middle segment 16 and moves downwards with the control bar 14. The elastic energy stored due to the bias of the device 10 automatically returns the device 10 to the unloaded position when the foot 46 moves completely into the foot receiving cavity 47, whereby the upper part 38 is automatically pulled up over the back of the foot 46. The position of the stretchable flexible cover 42 before the entry of the foot is in 5 shown. The flexible cover 42 extends over the back of the heel of the foot 46 to the position 42A shown in 5 is shown in dashed lines when the device 10 returns to the unloaded position.

In order to further facilitate the entry of the foot 46 into the foot receiving cavity 47 of the upper part 38, the middle segment 16 of the control bar 14 has a ramp-shaped surface or surface 50 which slopes towards an inner circumference 52 of the middle segment 16, as in 2 and 4 specified. At a transition line 51 between an upper portion 54 of the foot contact surface of the control bar 14 and the ramped surface 50, there is a change in inclination of the center segment 16. The ramped surface 50 has a steeper slope drop than the upper portion 54, which helps the foot 46 move downward and slide inside.

Regarding 5 and 6 the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 extend at a first acute angle A1 to the common plane P of the base 22 when the control bar 14 is in the unloaded position. Angle A1 can be measured along a longitudinal axis of each side arm. Although shown with the same angle A1, both the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 could have a first acute angle with a different numerical value. The first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 extend at a second acute angle A2 to the common plane P of the base 22 when the control bar 14 is depressed so that the device 10 is in the position 10A of 3 located. Angle A2 can be measured along a longitudinal axis of each side arm. The second acute angle A2 is smaller than the first acute angle A1. Although shown with the same angle A2, both the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 could have a second acute angle with a different numerical value.

The material of the device 10 is selected to provide the ability to deform elastically by elastic bending as described and to store potential energy, such as elastic energy, that returns the device 10 to the unloaded position. Example materials include plastics (e.g., thermoplastics), composites, and nylon. Another exemplary material is a polyether block amide such as PEBAX®, available from Arkema, Inc. of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA. Another exemplary material is a glass fiber reinforced polyamide. An example of glass fiber reinforced polyamide is RISLAN® BZM 7 0 TL, available from Arkema, Inc. in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA. Such a glass fiber reinforced polyamide can have a density of 1.07 grams per cubic centimeter according to the ISO 1183 test method, an instantaneous hardness of 75 on a Shore D scale according to the ISO test method 868 and a tensile modulus of 1800 MPa according to the ISO 527 test method (with samples conditioned for 15 days at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity) and a flexural modulus of 1500 MPa according to the ISO 178 test method (with samples conditioned for 15 days conditioned at 23 degrees Celsius and 50% relative humidity).

Additionally, the relative dimensions and shape of the device at the hinges and side arms 18, 20 contribute to the spring-loaded nature of the device 10 and its ability to resiliently contract to its original, unloaded position under a desired amount of loading and recovery deform. The device 10 may be configured to elastically flex under a maximum force of 160 N. For example with reference to 1 the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 each have a thickness T1 that is greater than a width W1 at the respective joint 24A, 24B. The thickness T1 is measured in the longitudinal direction (longitudinal direction) of the footwear article 12. The width W1 is measured in the medial-lateral direction (transverse direction) of the footwear article 12. The greater thickness T1 increases the force required to resiliently bend the device 10 into the loaded position.

In addition, the side arms 18 and 20 are each twisted outwards along their respective longitudinal axes 23A, 23B from the joints 24A, 24B at the base to the middle segment 16. In other words, the inwardly facing surfaces 60 of the side arms 18, 20 continuously merge into a slightly upwardly facing surface 62, while an elevation 64 along the side arm 18 or 20 changes from an upwardly extending elevation to a partially rearwardly extending elevation on the Back of the middle segment 16 transitions as best in 2 is shown. Similarly, a side surface 66 on the arms 18 or 20 merges into a slightly downward facing surface 68 under the elevation 64 on the center segment 16, as best shown in 1 is shown. This twisting of the side arms 18, 20 helps promote the downward and rearward movement of the center segment 16 during loading by the foot 46.

The device 10 is also configured to expand as it is moved from the unloaded position to the loaded position. This helps to facilitate the entry of the foot 46 into a flexible upper part 38, since the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 bend apart when the control bar 14 is pressed down, which causes the upper part 38 attached to the inwardly facing surfaces 60 to move pulls outside. The deflection of the device 10 in the loaded position 10A is shown in the top view 2 specified.

While the device 10 is configured to facilitate foot entry with its ability to resiliently deform and store elastic energy, it is also configured to limit the amount of deformation to prevent plastic deformation . More specifically, the control bar 14 has an extension 70 that extends generally toward the base 22. The extension 70 is spaced from the base 22 when the control bar 14 is in the unloaded position 1 and contacts the base 22 when the control bar 14 is depressed and the device is in the loaded position 10A. In 3 the extension 70 is designated 70A, with the device 10 in the loaded position 10A. The contact of the extension 70 with the base 22 limits further depression of the control bar 14. Alternatively, the base 22 could have an extension or extension instead of or in addition to the control bar 14, with the extension at the base extending in the direction of the control bar 14.

In the embodiment of 1 until 6 The control bar 14 and base 22 have complementary features that work together to limit movement of the device when the control bar 14 is depressed. For example, the extension 70 cooperates with the base 22, limiting the depression of the control bar 14 and limiting the tilting of the control bar 14 to the lateral or medial side during loading. More specifically, the base 22 has a recess 72, and the extension 70 extends into the recess 72 and contacts the base 22 when the control bar 14 is depressed and the device 10 elastically deforms to the loaded position 10A. When in the recess 72, side projections 74 on either side of the recess 72 prevent lateral movement of the extension 70. Since the control bar 14 generally descends along an arc as the joints 24A, 24B are bent, the extension 70 is so positioned to engage or come into contact with the base 22 in the recess 72 as it descends along such an arc.

7 and 8th show a further embodiment of a footwear article 112 with a heel spring device 110. The heel spring device 110 has similar functions and features to the heel spring device 10. Joints 124A, 124B have a greater thickness T2 than the thickness T1 of the joints 24A, 24B and can therefore have a larger provide greater resistance to depression of the control bar 14, thereby reducing the need for an extension 70 to limit bending. The center segment 16 has an opening 145 and the upper 38 has a heel pull tab 149 extending through the opening 145, further securing the upper 38 to the device 110. Once inserted through the opening 145, the heel pull tab 149 may wrap around the device 110, could hang loosely, or could be sewn or secured to the upper 38 or to itself to secure the upper 38 to the device 10.

9 shows another embodiment of a footwear article 212 with a heel spring device 210 attached to a sole layer 234. The heel spring device 210 has similar functions and features to the heel spring device 10. An upper is not shown, but would be attached to the sole layer 234 and the device 210 as described with respect to the device 10.

10 shows another embodiment of a footwear article 312 with a heel spring device 310 attached to a sole structure 334, which is a midsole, and to an upper 338, which has a flexible cover layer with a resiliently stretchable material in the heel region. The heel spring device 310 has similar functions and features to the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 310 may include a base 322 that is similar to the base 22 but extends through the sole structure 334, or the base arms may terminate at the sole structure 334 and sufficiently at the sole structure 334 be attached so that the sole structure serves as the base. The device 310 is integrated into a fastening system of the upper part 338, as the device has loops 339 which are attached to the side arms and which serve as anchors for fastening cables 343.

11-14 show another embodiment of a footwear article 412 that has a heel spring device 410 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 410 is attached to a sole layer 434 and to an upper part 438 which has a flexible cover 442 with a resiliently stretchable material in the heel region for receiving and covering a foot supported on the sole layer 434. For example, the flexible cover 442 may be an elastically stretchable fabric, such as a 4-way stretch nylon fabric. A foam collar 435 is attached to the flexible cover 442 and defines a front portion of an ankle opening 439 in the upper 438. The foam collar is stiffer than the elastically stretchable fabric of the flexible cover 442. The collar 435 may include foam padding 435A. The foam padding 435A on a rear portion of the collar may extend inwardly into the ankle opening 439. Because the foam is compressible, the size of the opening can be adjusted to suit different ankle circumferences.

A middle segment of the control bar 414 of the device 410 has a thinned section 445 at which the flexible cover 442 of the top 438 is sewn to the device 410. The foam collar 435 is also sewn to the device 410 at the thinned portion 445, as shown in 14 shown. Additional thin extensions 441 of the device 410 extend along the side arms 418, 420, as shown in FIG 12 shown, and are sufficiently thin to allow sewing of the top 438 through the thin extensions 441 to the device 410. The seam 437 through the thinned section 445 and through the extensions 441 is in 13 and 14 shown. The upper 438 is characterized by the lack of a rigid heel cap. The device 410 functions, at least in some respects, as a heel protector by helping to hold a wearer's heel in position on a heel portion of the sole structure, preventing medial or lateral displacement during use. Similar to device 10, device 410 has a ramped surface 450 to facilitate foot entry.

15 shows another embodiment of a footwear article 512 that has a heel spring device 510 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 510 is attached to a sole layer 534 and to an upper 538 which has a flexible cover 542 with a resiliently stretchable material in the heel region for receiving and covering a foot supported on the sole layer 534. The cover 542 expands as the foot enters the position 542A. For example, the flexible cover 542 may be a resiliently stretchable fabric, such as a 4-way stretch nylon fabric. The device 510 includes forwardly extending supports 511. The joints of the device 510 are higher than in other embodiments because they are located on the sides of the upper 538 above the sole layer 534, as shown.

16 shows another embodiment of a footwear article 612 that has a heel spring device 610 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 610 is attached to a sole layer 634 and to an upper part 638 which has a flexible cover with a resiliently stretchable material in the heel region for receiving and covering a foot supported on the sole layer 634. For example, the flexible cover may be an elastically stretchable fabric, such as a 4-way stretch nylon fabric. The sole layer 634 has formed recesses on its medial and lateral sides in which the base of the device 610 and the joints, such as a joint 624B, are partially located.

17-18 show another embodiment of a footwear article 712 that includes a heel spring device 710 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 710 is embedded in a flexible cover of an upper 738 and is either attached to a sole layer 734 at its base by bonding with adhesive or otherwise, or is simply sandwiched between the midsole and a strobel or upper materials to reduce the need for adhesive .

19 shows another embodiment of a footwear article 812 that includes a heel spring device 810 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 810 is attached to a sole layer 834 at its base and to a flexible cover of an upper 838. A heel tab 849 attached to the upper forms a loop through which the device 810 passes behind an ankle opening, which helps secure the upper 838 for movement with the device 810.

20-22 show another embodiment of a footwear article 912 that includes a heel spring device 910 with similar function and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 910 is attached to a sole layer (not shown) at its base and to a flexible cover of an upper 938. The device 910 has a control bar 914 with side arms 918, 920 and a base 922 which connects the side arms 918, 920 and lies under the control bar 914. The base 922 extends rearwardly from a junction 924A, 924B of the control bar 914 to act as a support. The base 922 lies beneath a foot receiving cavity in an upper to which the heel spring device 910 is attached, and may lie beneath a strobel in the footwear article 912. The base 922 may be attached to a sole layer by bonding with an adhesive or otherwise, or may simply be sandwiched between the sole layer and a strobel or upper materials to reduce the need for adhesive. The device 910 expands laterally outwardly when the control bar 914 is depressed, as indicated by the device 910 in a loaded position 910A.

23 shows an example plot of vertical force F in Newtons on the vertical axis versus displacement D in millimeters on the horizontal axis, schematically illustrating the elastic bending and energy return behavior of one of the heel spring devices shown and described herein. The displacement D is, for example, the difference between the distances D1 and D2 in 3 . A first exemplary representation of the behavior of a heel spring device is represented by a load curve 1003 (placement of the force F of 4 on the control web of the device (the vertical component of which is shown in the diagrams)) followed by a relief curve 1002 (behavior when the force F is removed). A second exemplary representation of the behavior of a heel spring device is shown by a loading curve 1005 followed by an unloading curve 1004.

24-25 show another embodiment of a footwear article 1012 that includes a heel spring device 1010 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 1010 is attached to a sole layer (not shown) at its base and to a flexible cover of an upper 1038. The device 1010 has a control bar 1014 with side arms 1018, 1020 and a base 1022 which connects the side arms 1018, 1020 and lies under the control bar 1014. The base 1022 extends rearwardly from a junction of the control bar 1014 with the base 1022 to act as a support. The base 1022 may lie beneath a strobel in the footwear article 1012, may be attached to a sole layer by bonding with an adhesive or otherwise, or may simply be sandwiched between the sole layer and a strobel or upper materials to reduce the need for adhesive. The side arms 1018, 1020 of the device 1010 are similar to the side arms 918, 920 of the device 910, except that the side arms 918, 920 extend with a gradually decreasing slope from the base 922 to the middle segment of the control bar 914, as best suited in 21 is shown while the side arms 1018, 1020 extend with a gradually increasing inclination from the base 1022 to the central segment of the control bar 1014, as best shown in 25 is shown.

26-27 show another embodiment of a footwear article 1112 that includes a heel spring device 1110 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 1110 is attached to a sole layer (not shown) at its base and to a flexible cover of an upper 1138. The base 1122 may underlie a strobel in the footwear article 1112, may be attached to a sole layer by bonding with an adhesive or otherwise, or may simply be sandwiched between the sole layer and a strobel or upper materials to reduce the need for adhesive. The device 1110 has a control bar 1114 with side arms 1118, 1120 and a base 1122 which connects the side arms 1118, 1120 and lies under the control bar 1114. The first side arm 1118 and the second side arm 1120 each have a Z shape, as best shown in 27 is shown extending first rearwardly, then forwardly, and then rearwardly again as they progress from the hinge 1124A, 1124B to the mid-segment of the control bar 1114. The connection points of the rearwardly extending sections with the forwardly extending sections of the side arms 1118, 1120 can serve as additional connection points for resilient bending during loading of the device 1110 by a downward force on the central segment of the control bar 1114. The base 1122 extends rearwardly from a junction of the control bar 1114 with the base 1122 to act as a support.

28-29 show another embodiment of a heel spring device 1210 for a footwear article. The heel spring device 1210 has a control bar 1214 which contains medial and lateral side arms 1218, 1220. The control bar 1214 can be attached to a flexible shoe upper. A base 1222 that extends from and supports the control bar 1214. Unlike the other embodiments of heel spring devices disclosed herein, the base 1222 extends from the center segment of the control bar 1214 and the junction is between generally vertical and generally horizontal portions of the base 1222.

30-31 show another embodiment of a heel spring device 1310 for a footwear article. The device 1310 includes a control bar 1314 that includes medial and lateral side arms 1318, 1320 that extend from a central segment of the control bar 1314. The control bar 1314 can be attached to a flexible shoe upper. The center segment has an opening 1345 for receiving a heel pull tab of a flexible shoe upper or for sewing the control bar 1314 to a shoe upper. Ends of the side arms 1318, 1320 expand in the longitudinal direction and, together with a sole layer to which they are attached, serve as the base and connection point 1324A, 1324B of the device 1310.

32 shows another embodiment of a footwear article 1412 that includes a heel spring device 1410 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 1410 has a control bar 1414 which is attached to a flexible cover of a shoe upper 1438. The control bar 1414 includes medial and lateral side arms (a side arm 1420 is shown). The device 1410 includes a base (not shown) that connects the side arms and extends through openings 1436 in the sole layer 1434 and is attached to or embedded in the sole layer 1434. The base may lie beneath a strobel in the footwear article 1412, may be attached to the sole layer 1434 by bonding with an adhesive or otherwise, or may simply be sandwiched between the sole layer 1434 and a strobel or upper materials to eliminate the need for adhesive reduce. The sole layer 1434 thus serves in part as the base and connection point with the control arm 1314.

33 shows another embodiment of a footwear article 1512 that includes a heel spring device 1510 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The heel spring device 1510 has a control bar 1514 which is sewn to a flexible cover of a shoe upper 1538. The control bar 1514 includes medial and lateral side arms (a side arm 1520 is shown). The device 1510 includes a base (not shown) that connects the side arms and extends through openings in the sole layer 1534 and is embedded in or otherwise attached to the sole layer 1534. The base may lie beneath a strobel in the footwear article 1512, may be attached to the sole layer 1534 by bonding with an adhesive or otherwise, or may simply be sandwiched between the sole layer 1534 and a strobel or upper materials to reduce the need for adhesive. The sole layer 1534 thus serves in part as a base for the control arm and as a connection point 1524 to the control arm.

34-35 show another embodiment of a heel spring device 1610 for a footwear article. The device 1610 has a control bar 1614, which is medial and lateral tenarms 1618, 1620 which extend from a middle segment 1616 of the control web 1614. The control bar 1614 can be attached to a flexible shoe upper. The center segment 1616 and the side arms 1618, 1620 have openings 1645 for sewing the device 1610 to the upper of the flexible footwear behind an ankle opening, for example to a rear collar of the ankle opening, to prevent a heel tab from being in this area during insertion of the foot folds inwards. The device 1610 has no base. However, the side arms 1618, 1620 may be attached near their distal ends to portions of an upper 1638, for example, to slightly stiffer but resiliently flexible portions 1635 in front of a 4-way stretch fabric 1642 in the heel region, as shown in 35 shown. In this way, the stiffer portions 1635 of the top effectively serve as a base for the device 1610 and form connection points with the side arms 1618, 1620 to ensure a resilient return of the device 1610 to an unloaded position after a downward force during entry of the foot is applied.

36 shows another embodiment of a heel spring device 1710 for an in 37-38 shown footwear article 1712. The heel spring device 1710 has similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The device 1710 has a control bar 1714 with a middle segment 1716, a medial side arm 1718 and a lateral side arm 1720. The device 1710 includes a continuous base 1722 that connects the side arms 1718, 1720 and extends forwardly from a junction of the control bar 1714 with the base 1722.

As in 37 shown, the heel spring device 1710 is attached to a sole structure 1732 at its base 1722 and to a flexible cover of a shoe upper 1738 (shown in phantom). The upper 1738 defines at least a portion of an ankle opening 1739 and a foot receiving cavity 1747. The base 1722 underlies the foot receiving cavity 1747, may underlie a strobel in the footwear article 1712, may or may be attached to the sole structure 1732 by bonding with an adhesive or otherwise easily sandwiched between the sole structure 1732 and a strobel or upper materials to reduce the need for adhesive. The base 1722 extends both slightly rearwardly from a junction of the control bar 1714 with the base 1722 and forward from the junction with the control bar 1714 to act as a support. The base 1722 includes a forwardly extending projection 1727 located beneath the foot receiving cavity adjacent the medial side 1741 of the shoe upper, and a rearwardly extending projection 1729 located beneath the foot receiving cavity along the lateral side 1743 of the shoe upper lies.

37 shows the control bar 1714 pre-tensioned to an unloaded position. 38 shows the control bar 1714 elastically bent into a loaded position under an applied force, which widens the ankle opening 1739. The device 1710 stores elastic energy that returns the control bar 1714 to the unloaded position after the applied load is removed.

39-40 show an article of footwear 1812 with a heel spring device 1810. The article of footwear 1812 and the heel spring device 1810 are similar in many aspects to the article of footwear 1712 and the heel spring device 1710 and the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar components. The heel spring device 1810 is similar in all aspects to the heel spring device 1710, except that the heel spring device 1810 includes a continuous base 1822 with a main portion 1831 and a projection 1833 extending downwardly from the main portion into a recess 1835 in the foot-facing surface 1837 of the sole structure 1732 extended. The projection 1833 is configured to sit in the recess 1835. The walls of the projection 1833 cooperate with walls of the sole structure 1732 at the recess 1835, which provides stability to the base 1822. In addition, the projection 1833 forms a cavity 1839 in the recess 1835, and the cavity can be used to accommodate various shoe components or accessories, such as electronic accessories.

41 shows another embodiment of a heel spring device 1910 for an in 42-43 shown footwear article 1912. The heel spring device 1910 has similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The device 1910 has a control bar 1914 with a medial side arm 1918 and a lateral side arm 1920. The device 1910 includes a continuous base 1922 that connects the side arms 1918, 1920 and extends both forward and rearward from a junction of the control bar 1914 with the base 1922.

As in 42 shown is the heel spring device 1910 on the sole structure 1732 at its base 1922 and on the flexible cover one Shoe upper 1738 (shown in dashed lines), both with reference to 37 is described. The base 1922 lies under the foot receiving cavity 1747, may lie under a strobel in the footwear article 1912, may be attached to the sole structure 1732 by bonding with an adhesive or otherwise, or may simply be enclosed between the sole structure 1732 and a strobel or upper materials to the Reduce the need for adhesive.

The medial side arm 1918 and the lateral side arm 1920 each include at least one slot 1980 extending therethrough and, in the embodiment shown, include a plurality of slots 1980. The slots 1980 extend through the first side arm 1918 and lengthwise along a longitudinal axis of the medial side arm 1918 (ie, along the length of the side arm 1918). Separate slots 1980 extend through the lateral side arm 1920 and lengthwise along a longitudinal axis of the lateral side arm 1920 (ie, along the length of the side arm 1920). The slots 1980 reduce the thickness of the side arms 1918, 1920 and accordingly reduce the force required to bend the side arms 1918, 1920. More precisely, with the slots 1980, each side arm is divided into several slats 1981 at the slots. The slats 1981 act as several thinner side arms that bend along their length in the area of the slots 1980. 42 shows the control bar pre-tensioned to an unloaded position in 1914. 43 shows the control bar 1914 elastically bent to a loaded position under an applied force, which widens the ankle opening 1739 and tilts the ankle opening downward and backward compared to the unloaded position. As in 43 As shown, in the loaded position, the side arms 1918, 1920 may be configured such that at least portions of the slots 1980 close, causing the slats 1981 to contact each other, increasing rigidity and resistance to further bending. The device 1910 stores elastic energy that returns the control bar 1914 to the unloaded position after the applied load is removed.

44 shows another embodiment of a heel spring device 2010 for an in 45-46 shown footwear article 2012. The heel spring device 2010 has similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The device 2010 has a control bar 2014 with a medial side arm 2018 and a lateral side arm 2020. The device 2010 includes a continuous base 2022 connecting the side arms 2018, 2020, and extends both forward and rearward from a junction of the control bar 2014 with the base 2022.

As in 45 1, the heel spring device 2010 is attached to the sole structure 2032 at its base 2022 and to the flexible cover of a shoe upper 1738 (shown in phantom), both with reference to 37 is described. The base 2022 lies under the foot receiving cavity 1747, may lie under a strobel in the footwear article 2012, may be attached to the sole structure 2032 by bonding with an adhesive or otherwise, or may simply be enclosed between the sole structure 2032 and a strobel or upper materials to the Reduce the need for adhesive.

The medial side arm 2018 and the lateral side arm 2020 each have at least one slot 2080 extending therethrough, and in the embodiment shown, a plurality of slots 2080. The slots 2080 extend through the medial side arm 2018 and are transverse to a longitudinal axis 23A of the medial side arm 2018 (ie, transverse to the length of the side arm 2018). Separate slots 2080 extend through the lateral side arm 2020 and are transverse to a longitudinal axis 23B of the lateral side arm 2020 (ie, transverse to the length of the side arm 2020). The slots 2080 reduce the thickness of the side arms 2018, 2020 and accordingly reduce the force required to bend the side arms 2018, 2020. More specifically, with the slots 2080, each side arm is divided into multiple fingers 2081 at the slots 2080. The fingers 2081 function to reduce the thickness of the bending portion of the side arms 2018, 2020 to the thickness between the end 2083 of each slot 2080 and the top surface 2085 of each side arm 2018, 2020, rather than the total thickness of the side arm from the top surface 2085 the or on the lower surface 2087. The fingers 2081, ends 2083 and surfaces 2085, 2087 are in 44 marked with reference to the lateral arm 2020 and apply equally to similar features of the medial arm 2018. 45 shows the 2014 control bar pre-tensioned to an unloaded position. 46 shows the control bar 2014 elastically bent to a loaded position under an applied force, which widens the ankle opening 1739 compared to the unloaded position. As in 46 As shown, in the loaded position, the side arms 2018, 2020 may be configured such that at least portions of the slots 2080 close, causing the fingers 2081 to contact each other, increasing rigidity and resistance to further bending. The device 2010 stores elastic energy that returns the control bar 2014 to the unloaded position after the applied load is removed.

47-48 show another embodiment of a heel spring device 2110 with similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10 and the heel spring device of 27 . In 48 1, the device 2110 is shown in a footwear article 2112 attached to a sole structure 2132 and to the flexible cover of a shoe upper 2138 (shown in phantom), both of which are shown with reference to 37 similar to those described. The heel spring device 2110 is similar in all aspects to the heel spring device 1110 except that it has a base 2122 that extends both forward and rearward from the side arms 1118, 1120 of the control bar 1114, as opposed to the base 1122 which only extends backward extends behind.

49 shows a footwear article 2212 with a further embodiment of a heel spring device 2210. The heel spring device 2210 has similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The device 2210 includes a control bar 2214 having a medial side arm 2218, a lateral side arm 2220, and a center segment 2216 connecting the side arms 2218, 2220 and from which the side arms extend generally downwardly and forwardly. The device 2210 is attached to a flexible shoe upper 2238 and to a sole structure 2232, similar to that described with respect to the device 10 and the footwear article 12.

A pin 2290 is arranged substantially horizontally when the footwear 2212 is in the position of 49 resting on the sole structure. The pin 2290 extends across the sole structure 2232 and serves as a continuous base and is connected to the side arms 2218, 2220 at first and second hinges. The pin 2290 is connected to the medial side arm 2218 and the lateral side arm 2220 where they cooperate with the sole structure 2232. The pin 2290 forms a pivot axis along the length of the pin 2290 (across the sole structure 2232) around which the control arm 2214 pivots between the unloaded position and the loaded position. A biasing element, such as a torsion spring 2291, is wrapped around the pin 2290, with one end attached to the pin 2290 and the other end attached to the sole structure 2232. For example, the pin 2290 has a first end 2292 attached to the medial side of the sole structure and a second end 2294 attached to the pin 2290. Pivoting the control bar 2214 into the loaded position tensions the torsion spring 2291, which stores potential energy.

The control bar 2214 is biased to an unloaded position, shown in solid line. The control bar 1714 is shown in dashed lines as 2214A when the device 2210 is pivoted under an applied force to a loaded position in which the device is indicated as 2210A. The ankle opening 2739 expands in the loaded position and can tilt downward and backward relative to the unloaded position because the flexible cover 2442 (also referred to as a flexible cover layer) of the upper 2238 is attached to the control bar 2214 and is in contact with the control bar 2214 moved downwards. The spring 2291 stores spring energy that returns the control bar 2214 to the unloaded position after the applied load is removed.

50-51 show a footwear article 2312 with a further embodiment of a heel spring device 2310. The heel spring device 2310 has similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The device 2310 includes a control bar 2314 with a medial side arm 2318 and a lateral side arm (not shown, but a mirror image of the medial side arm 2318). The device 2310 includes a continuous base 2322 that connects the side arms and extends both forward and rearward from a junction of the control bar 2314 with the base 2322, similar to the base 22 of 1 .

As in 50-51 As shown, the heel spring device 2310 is attached to the sole structure 32 at its base 2322 and to the flexible cover of a shoe upper 38, both with reference to 5-6 is described.

The control bar 2314 has at least one slot 2380, which extends continuously from the first side arm 2318 over the middle segment 2316 to the second side arm, and through the first side arm 2318, the middle segment 2316 and through the second side arm (mirror image of the slots as shown). In the embodiment shown, there are multiple slots 2380. The same slots 2380 that extend through the first side arm 2318 and lengthwise along a longitudinal axis of the first side arm 2318 (i.e., along the length of the side arm 2318) also extend through the second side arm and lengthwise along a longitudinal axis of the second side arm (i.e., along the length of the second side arm). The slots 2380 reduce the thickness of the side arms and accordingly reduce the force required to bend the side arms. More specifically, with the slots 2380, each side arm is divided into several slats 2381 at the slots. The slats 2381 act as a plurality of thinner side arms that bend along their length in the area of the slots 2380.

50 shows the control bar 2314 biased into an unloaded position. 51 shows the control bar 2314 elastically bent to a loaded position under an applied force, which widens the ankle opening 39 and tilts the ankle opening downward and backward compared to the unloaded position. As in 51 shown, in the loaded position, the side arms 2318 (and second side arm, not shown) may be configured such that at least portions of the slots 2380 close, causing the slats 2381 to contact each other, increasing rigidity. However, due to the closure of the slots 2380, the slats 2381 can slide against each other when they come into contact. Sliding allows for further flexing with reduced stiffness compared to a control bar such as the Control Bar 2314 but without slots. 51 shows slight staggering at the back of the stacked slats 2381, indicating that they have shifted relative to each other with the slots closed. The device 2310 stores elastic energy that returns the control bar 2314 to the unloaded position after the applied load is removed.

52 shows a footwear article 2412 with a further embodiment of a heel spring device 2410. The heel spring device 2410 has similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. The device 2410 includes a control bar 2414 having a medial side arm 18 and a lateral side arm 20 and a center segment 16 connecting the side arms 18, 20 and from which the side arms extend generally downwardly and forwardly. The device 2410 includes a continuous base 22 connecting the side arms 18, 20 at first and second joints 24A, 24B, as referred to 1 described. The device 2410 is attached to a flexible shoe upper 2438 and to a sole structure 2432, similar to that described with respect to device 10.

The middle segment 16 has an opening 2445 and the upper part 2438 has a heel pull tab 2449 which extends through the opening 2445 and further secures the upper part 2438 to the device 2410. The center segment 16 also includes an extension 2470 that extends downwardly from the center segment 16 and can limit flexing of the device 10 by interacting with the base 22, similar to that described with respect to the extension 70. The extension 2470 has a mounting hole 2451 that receives a bolt (not shown) that can be used to attach the heel pull tab 2449 to the extension 2470 with a fastener such as a bolt, snap, or button. Alternatively or additionally, the heel pull tab 2449 may be attached to a mounting surface 2472 of the extension 2470 with adhesive or otherwise.

53 shows an article of footwear 2512 with another embodiment of a heel spring device 2510. The heel spring device 2510 has a rear control bar 2514 with a medial side arm 2518 attached to a medial side of the article of footwear and a lateral side arm (not shown) which is a mirror image of the medial side arm 2518, but is attached to the lateral side of the footwear article 2512. The rear control bar 2514 also includes a center segment 2516 that connects the medial and lateral side arms and from which the side arms extend generally downward and forward. The device includes an anterior web 2515, which also includes a medial side arm, a lateral side arm, and a center segment 2516 connecting the medial and lateral side arms. A flexible shoe upper 2538 is attached to the center segment 2516 of the front bar 2515, to the center segment 2416 of the rear control bar 2514, and to the medial and lateral side arms of the rear control bar 2514 and the front bar 2515. The relative positions of the middle segments 2416, 2516 thus determine the longitudinal extent of the ankle opening 2539, which is formed by the upper part 2538.

The rods 2514 and 2515 can be anchored to the sole structure 2532 at their ends. The rods 2514, 2515 are positioned to cross each other on both the medial and lateral sides, and are at a junction 2590 (one shown) on both the lateral and medial sides where they cross. pivotally attached to each other. The connection 2590 can be a pin joint. A torsion spring 2591 may be operatively attached to the connection. The upper portions of the rods 2514, 2515 may be resiliently bendable so that the middle segments 2416 and 2516 can move away from each other when a force is applied to the middle segment 2416, such as the force of a foot gaining access to the upper part 2538. The positions of the center segments 2416, 2516 under load are shown in dashed lines as 2416A, 2516A. The device 2510 stores potential energy, such as elastic energy and/or spring energy, that returns the rear control bar 2514 to the unloaded position after the applied force is removed (i.e., after a foot slides into the foot receiving cavity of the upper 2538).

54 shows a footwear article 2612 with another embodiment of a heel spring device 2610. The heel spring device 2610 has similar functions and features as the heel spring device 2310. The device 2610 has a control bar 2614 with a series of slats 2681 and several slots 2680, preferably in 55 shown. Each lamella 2681 has a middle segment 2616, a medial side arm 2618 (best in 57 shown) and a lateral side arm 2620. The lateral side arm 2620 and the medial side arm 2618 may each be configured as mirror images in one or more embodiments. The device 2610 includes a continuous base 2622 that underlies the control bar 2614 and connects the side arms 2618, 2620 and extends fore and aft from a junction of the control bar 2614 with the base 2622, similar to the base 22 of 1 . How out 57 and 58 As can be seen, the device 2610 has a concave inner surface 2611 with a concavity in both the medial-lateral and vertical directions.

The footwear article 2612 includes a sole structure 2632 and a shoe upper 38 with a flexible cover that relates to 5-6 is described. The heel spring device 2610 is attached to the flexible cover of the shoe upper 38 via a strap 2633 having a pocket 2635, as referred to 59-60 described.

The heel spring device 2610 is also attached to the sole structure 2632 at the base 2622 of the heel spring device 2610, as shown in 54 shown. As in 55-56 As shown, the outer surface of the base 2622 of the device 2610 includes a peripheral recess 2622A extending from a lower edge 2622B of the base 2622. The circumferential recess 2622A is on the lateral side of the base 2622 in 55 , 56 shown and extends around the medial side of the base 2622 in a mirror image of the lateral side. The circumferential recess 2622A is shaped and sized to receive a flange 2632A of the sole structure 2632, as shown in 54 shown. The flange 2632A may be glued or heat bonded to the base 2622 in the peripheral recess 2622A. The sole structure 2632 thus provides lateral support or lateral support for the base 2622.

The control bar 2614 is biased to an unloaded position, as shown in 55 shown, and bends elastically into a loaded position under an applied force F, as in 56 shown in which each center segment 2616 is closer to the base 2622 than in the unloaded position, thereby storing potential energy that returns the control bar 2614 to the unloaded position after the applied force F is removed. The control bar 2614 and the base 2622 are configured as a fully elliptical leaf spring. The device 2610 may be a resiliently bendable nylon or other resiliently bendable material. The center segment 2616 is spaced from the base 2622, and the device 2610 is characterized by the absence of a rigid heel counter between the center segment 2616 and the base 2622 behind a junction 2624A of the medial side arm 2618 and the base 2622 (shown in 57 and a mirror image of the junction 2624B) and behind a junction 2624B between the lateral side arm 2620 and the base 2622. The device 2610 functions, at least in some respects, as a heel protector by helping to keep a wearer's heel in position on a heel portion of the sole structure hold, preventing medial or lateral displacement during use.

The slots 2680 reduce the amount of material between a top 2681B of the slats and a bottom 2681A of the slats on the side arms, as shown in 55 shown, and accordingly reduce the force required to bend the side arms. More specifically, the slats 2681 with the slots 2680 act as a plurality of thinner side arms that bend along their length in the area of the slots 2680. A lowermost 2681A of the slats 2681, which is closest to the base 2622 on the middle segment 2616, is shorter from its medial end 2682A to its lateral end 2683A than a topmost 2681B of the slats 2681 from its medial end 2682B to its lateral end 2683B, where the top lamella 2681 B is furthest away from the base 2622. The medial ends 2682A, 2682B are in 57 indicated and are a mirror image of the lateral ends 2683A, 2683B, which in 55 are shown.

In one or more embodiments, the lowest of the slats 2681A is thinner than the uppermost of the slats 2681B at any location along its length between the medial ends and the lateral ends, as determined by comparing the thickness T3 of the lowest slat 2681A with the thickness T4 the top slat 2681 B in the exemplary embodiment of 55 emerges. In other words, while the thickness of the lamella 2681A can vary from its medial end to its lateral end, and the thickness of the lamella 2681B can vary from its medial end to its lateral end, at any position between the medial end and the lateral End of the slat 2681A, the thickness of the slat is 2681A less than the thickness of the lamella 2681B along a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lamella 2681A.

The slats 2681 are spaced apart by the slots 2680 when the control bar 2614 is in the unloaded position 54-55 located. The slots 2680 close between the slats 2681 at least at a portion of the slots 2680 so that adjacent center segments 2616 are in the loaded position of one another 56 touch. In the embodiment shown, the slots 2680 close on the center segments 2616 in the loaded position but may remain open on the side arms 2618, 2620. The slots 2680 are parallel to each other and outer sides 2644 of the slats 2681 are in the in 55 shown unloaded position flush with each other. The slots 2680 allow the control bar 2614 to flex with less resistance (ie, less rigidity) than if the control bar 2614 had the same overall thickness as the multiple slats 2681 from the top slat 2681B to the bottom slat 2681A. In a typical embodiment accordingly 55 The slats 2681 can move towards each other (but not past each other) when they come into contact due to the closing of the slots 2680. The displacement allows for further bending with reduced stiffness compared to a control bar configured in the manner of control bar 2614, but without slots. 56 shows a slight staggering at the back of the stacked slats 2681, indicating that they have shifted relative to each other with the slots 2680 closed.

55 shows the control bar 2614 biased to an unloaded (ie, unstressed) position. 56 3 shows the control bar 2614 elastically bending into a loaded position under an applied force F (e.g. a force emanating from a foot sliding into the footwear), thereby causing the ankle opening 39 of the upper 38 of 54 is expanded compared to the unloaded position when the upper part 38 moves with the control bar 2614 in the heel area. A heel portion of the upper 38 behind the ankle opening 39 moves with the center segment 2616 of the control bar closer to the base 2622 when the force F is applied, causing the ankle opening 39 to enlarge or at least change the position of the ankle opening so that it can be tilted downward and backward relative to the unloaded position and is accessible for entry of the foot in a downward and forward direction from behind and not just downward, as best shown by comparing the position of the ankle opening 39 in 56 with the position of the ankle opening 39 in 55 is shown.

More specifically, the upper 38 is connected to the heel spring device 2610 via an extension 2684 and a strap with a pocket 2635. Regarding 55 the lowest slat 2681A has an extension 2684 which extends from a lower edge 2685 of the middle segment 2616. The extension 2684 extends at least partially downward from the center segment 2616, at least partially toward the base 2622. As in 55 As shown, extension 2684 extends downward and rearward when control arm 2614 is in the unloaded position. In the stressed position of 56 the extension points straighter downwards than in the unloaded position. Additionally, the control bar 2614 and extension 2684 are configured to extend away from the base 2622 so that the extension is behind the base 2622 when the control arm 2614 is in the loaded position. In such an embodiment, no recess is required in the base 2622.

Regarding 54 , 59 and 60 a strap 2633 has a proximal end 2633A sewn to, integrally formed with, or otherwise connected to the top 38 near the ankle opening 39 at the rear of the top 38. The strap 2633 has a pocket 2635 at a distal end 2633B. For example, the pocket 2635 may be formed by folding the strap 2633 onto itself at the distal end 2633B and sewing the folded portion to the remainder of the strap 2633. The strap 2633 extends downward from the top 38. The strap 2633 is placed over and behind the control bar 2614, and the extension 2684 is then placed in the pocket 2635 with the strap 2633 overlying the center segment 2616. The extension 2684 and the strap 2633 are thus used to operatively connect the top 38 to the control bar 2614 so that the portion of the top 38 behind the ankle opening 39 with the control bar 2614 moves down to the loaded position, thereby allowing the entry of the foot into the foot receiving cavity of the upper 38 through the ankle opening 39 and then moves back up with the control bar to the unloaded position when the force F is removed, the upper 38 being placed around the back of a foot was inserted into the foot receiving cavity.

61 shows a footwear article 2712 with a further embodiment of a heel spring device 2710. The same reference numerals refer to refer to components identical to those described with respect to the footwear article 2612 and the heel spring device 2610. The heel spring device 2710 has similar functions and features to the heel spring device 2610. The device 2710 has a control bar 2714 with a series of slats 2781 and several slots 2780, which are best placed in 63 are shown. Each lamella 2781 has a middle segment 2716, a medial side arm 2718 (best in 62A shown) and a lateral side arm 2720, best in 61 shown. The lateral side arm 2720 and the medial side arm 2718 are mirror images of each other. The device 2710 has the continuous base 2622, which is referred to 54 and 55 is described, which lies under the control bar 2714 and connects the side arms and extends rearwardly from a junction of the control bar 2714 with the base 2622. How out 65 and 66 As can be seen, the device 2710 has a concave inner surface 2711 with a concavity in both the medial-lateral and vertical directions.

The slots 2780 reduce the amount of material between a top 2781B of the slats and a bottom 2781A of the slats on the side arms and accordingly reduce the amount of force required to bend the side arms beyond the force F applied to the center segment 2616. More specifically, due to the slots 2780, the slats 2781 act as a plurality of thinner side arms that bend along their length in the area of the slots 2780. As in 61 and 63 shown, a lowermost 2781A of the slats 2781, which is closest to the base 2622 at the middle segment 2716, is shorter from its medial end 2782A to its lateral end 2783A than a topmost 2781B of the slats 2681 from its medial end 2782B to its lateral end 2783B, where the top lamella 2781B is furthest from the base 2622. The medial ends 2782A, 2782B are in 62A indicated and are a mirror image of the lateral ends 2783A, 2783B.

At any point along the lowest of the slats 2781A, the lowest of the slats 2781A is thinner than each of the other slats at a corresponding point (e.g., at a point aligned directly above the point along the lowest of the slats), as shown best in 63 is shown. The thickness of a lamella is measured along its longitudinal axis. While the thickness of the lamella 2781A may vary along its longitudinal axis from its medial end to its lateral end, and the thickness of the lamella 2781B may vary along its longitudinal axis from its medial end to its lateral end, at any point between the medial end and the lateral end of the fin 2781A, the thickness of the fin 2781A is less than the thickness of the fin 2781B at a point aligned directly above the point along the fin 2781A.

The slats 2781 are spaced apart by the slots 2780 when the control bar 2714 is in the unloaded position 61-62A located. The heel spring device 2710 includes an elastic insert 2790 that at least partially fills the slots 2780. The resilient insert 2790 may include a resiliently compressible material, such as at least one of rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane, and may be, but is not limited to, a foam. In the embodiment shown, the resilient insert 2790 is a thermoplastic polyurethane foam that provides compressive rigidity and elastic resilience. Like best in 64 As shown, the resilient insert 2790 includes a sleeve 2791 with spaced projections 2792 extending outwardly on an outer surface 2793 of the sleeve 2791. Like best in 65 As shown, the sleeve 2791 is configured to extend along an inside of the slats 2781 from the top slat 2781B of the slats 2781 to a lower periphery of the base 2622. An outer circumference of the sleeve 2791 coincides with an outer circumference of the slats 2781 and the base 2622.

The spaced projections 2792 extend from the sleeve 2791 into the slots 2780 between the slats 2781. The spaced projections 2792 are shaped and sized to completely fill the slots 2780 when the device 2710 is in the unloaded position of 61 and 62A located. In other embodiments, the spaced projections 2792 could be narrower than the slots 2780. The spaced projections 2792 may be flush with the outer surfaces of the slats 2781 or may extend outwardly beyond the outer surfaces of the slats 2781. The slats 2781 and the base 2622 can be referred to as a cage that supports the insert 2790.

The slots 2780 partially close between the slats 2781 when a downward force F is applied to the control bar 2714, causing the control bar 2714 to the loaded position of 62B is moved so that the adjacent center segments 2716 move closer to each other and the projections 2792 are partially compressed between the slats 2781. The sleeve 2791 will also compressed as it moves down with the control bar 2714. Since the sleeve 2791 and/or the slats 2781 are operatively attached to the heel portion of the flexible cover of the upper 38 behind the ankle opening 39, the upper 38 with the sleeve 2791 and the control bar 2714 moves downward to the loaded position. The effort required to move the device 2710 from the unloaded position to the loaded position thus depends on both the bending stiffness of the control arm 2714 and the compressive stiffness of the resilient insert 2790 in the slots 2780. The compressive stiffness of the insert 2790 is less than the bending stiffness of the slats 2781 and therefore allows the control bar 2714 to flex with a lower force F than if the control bar 2714 had the same total thickness as the multiple slats 2781 from the top slat 2781 B to the lowest slat 2781A (ie if the control bar 2714 had no slats).

The footwear article 2712 includes the sole structure 2632 and the shoe upper 38 with a flexible cover. The heel spring device 2710 is attached to the flexible cover of the shoe upper 38 by gluing, sewing, thermal bonding, or otherwise so that a rear portion of the shoe upper 38 behind the ankle opening 39 moves with the heel spring device 2710. The heel spring device 2710 is also attached to the base 2622 of the sole structure 2632 through the flange 2632A of the sole structure 2632 which is secured in the peripheral recess 2622A.

The control bar 2714 is biased into an unloaded position, which is in 62A is shown, and bends elastically into an in under an applied force F 62B stressed position. In the loaded position, each center segment 2716 is closer to the base 2622 than in the unloaded position because the arms 2718, 2720 flex and store potential energy that returns the control bar 2714 to the unloaded position after the applied force F is removed. The control bar 2714 and base 2622 are configured as a fully elliptical leaf spring. The slats 2781 and the base 2622 can be made of nylon or another resiliently flexible material.

62A shows the control bar 2714 biased to an unloaded (ie, unstressed) position. 62B shows the control bar 2714 elastically bending into a loaded position under an applied force F (e.g. the force of a foot sliding into the footwear article), thereby causing the ankle opening 39 of the upper 38 of 61 is expanded compared to the unloaded position because the upper part 38 moves with the control bar 2714 in the heel area. A heel portion of the top 38 behind the ankle opening 39 moves with the middle portion 2716 of the slats 2781 closer to the base 2622 when the force F is applied, thereby increasing the ankle opening 39 or at least its position by lowering the top 38 behind the ankle opening 39 changes so that the ankle opening 39 can tilt downward and backward relative to the unloaded position and is accessible for entry of a foot moving from behind in a downward and forward direction.

The slats 2781 and the base 2622 can be injection molded. Once formed, the fins 2781 and base 2622 are a single, unitary component. The material of the foam insert 2790 can then be injected into a mold cavity containing the shaped fins 2781 and the base 2622. 66 shows openings 2794 (only some of which are numbered) in which pins hold the fins 2781 and the base 2622 against a surface of the mold while the material of the insert 2790 is injected. The insert 2790 is formed around the ribs 2795 of the base 2622 near the junctions of the slats 2781 with the base 2622, as indicated by the slots 2796 in the insert 2790 in 64 is specified.

67 shows a footwear article 2712A with another embodiment of a heel spring device 2710A. The heel spring device 2710A is similar in all aspects to the heel spring device 2710, except that the insert 2790 includes projections 2792A configured as bellows that extend outwardly and fill slots between the slats 2781 between the slats 2781 from an inside of the slats 2781. The slats 2781 and base 2622 may be formed from a semi-rigid or rigid thermoplastic polyurethane, while the insert 2790 with projections 2792A may be formed from a relatively softer thermoplastic polyurethane than the slats 2781 and base 2622.

68 1 shows an article of footwear 2812 with another embodiment of a heel spring device 2810. Like reference numerals refer to components identical to those described with respect to the article of footwear 2612 and the heel spring device 2610. The heel spring device 2810 has a similar function to the heel spring device 2710, but consists of an elastic corrugated body 2815 with a central segment 2816, a medial side arm 2818 (best in 69 shown) extending downward and forward from the center segment 2816, and one lateral side arm 2820 (best in 68 shown) extending downward and forward from the center segment 2816. The corrugated body 2815 includes alternating ribs 2881 and grooves 2880 that extend lengthwise along the medial side arm 2818, the middle segment 2816 and the lateral side arm 2820. How out 70 and 71A As can be seen, the device 2810 has a concavity on an inner surface in both the medial-lateral and vertical directions.

The corrugated body 2815 is biased to an unloaded position, as in 68 , 69 , 70 and 71A shown. The corrugated body 2815 is converted into an in under an applied force F 71B compressed loaded position shown. In the loaded position, the corrugated body 2815 is compressed (e.g. by folding) such that adjacent or adjacent ones of the alternating ribs 2881 are closer together than in the unloaded position, in particular from the middle segment 2816 onwards, thereby storing elastic energy, which returns the corrugated body 2815 to the unloaded position when the applied force F is removed. The upper 38 moves with the center segment 2816 so that the ankle opening 39 can tilt downward and rearward relative to the unloaded position when the heel spring device 2810 is in the loaded position.

As in 68 stated, a first set of ribs 2881A and grooves 2880A extend from the medial side arm 2818 to the lateral side arm 2820, and a second set of ribs 2881B and grooves 2880B extend only along the middle segment 2816. The first and second sets are like this configured so that the ribs and grooves can follow the contours of the upper 38 and extend along the entire portion of the upper 38 behind the ankle opening 39, while some of the ribs and grooves (ie, the first set) can still extend downward and forward.

Regarding 69 The device 2810 may include an upper flange 2823 extending along an upper edge 2825 of the corrugated body 2815 at the middle segment 2816 and further comprising a lower flange 2822 extending along a lower edge 2827 of the corrugated body 2815 at the medial arm 2818, the middle segment 2816 and the lateral arm 2820 extends.

The lower flange 2822 is also called the base. The sole structure 2632 is attached to the lower flange 2822 by adhesive, thermal bonding, or otherwise, such that the sole structure 2632 generally lies beneath the upper 38 and the heel spring device 2810, as shown in 68 shown. Like best in 69 As shown, the outer surface of the base 2822 includes a peripheral recess 2822A extending from a lower edge 2822B of the base 2822. The sole structure 2632 includes a flange 2632A configured to seat within the peripheral recess 2822A. The flange 2632A of the sole structure 2632 provides lateral support for the heel spring device 2810.

The upper flange 2823 is sewn to the top 38 behind the ankle opening 39 as shown by the seams 2829 in 68 is shown. The upper flange 2823 can alternatively be glued or thermally bonded to the upper part 38. The connection of the heel spring device 2810 to the upper part 38 via the upper flange 2823 allows the upper part 38 to move with the heel spring device 2810 between the loaded regions and the unloaded position.

The ribs 2881 and grooves 2880 of the corrugated body 2815 can also be referred to as bellows. The ribs 2881 are folds of the bellows and the grooves 2880 are folds of the bellows. The device 2810 is a one-piece, unitary component that includes the corrugated body 2815 and the flanges 2822, 2823. The device 2810 may be injection molded from a resiliently deformable material, such as at least one of rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane, and may be a resilient foam (e.g., a polymer foam material, etc.), but is not limited to these materials.

72 shows another embodiment of a heel spring device 2910 within the scope of the present teachings. The heel spring device 2910 includes the spaced slats 2781 and a base 2622 as described with respect to the heel spring device 2710 and is shown in FIG 72 shown unloaded position, but elastically flexes to a loaded position (not shown) in response to an applied load, helping to open an ankle opening of an upper to facilitate foot entry, as with respect to the heel spring device 2710 described. The heel spring device 2910 includes discrete resilient inserts 2990 disposed in the slots 2780, but only along a portion of the center segments 2716 (e.g., not in the side arm slots). A strap 2991 is glued or otherwise connected to the inserts 2990 and the slats 2781 to hold the inserts 2990 in position in the slots 2780. Alternatively, the strap 2991 may be an integral portion of the resilient inserts 2990 so that the elastic 2990 operations are integrated as a uniform or unitary component.

73 shows another embodiment of a heel spring device 3010. The heel spring device 3010 includes the spaced slats 2781 and the base 2622 as described with respect to the heel spring device 2710 and is shown in FIG 73 shown unloaded position, but elastically flexes to a loaded position (not shown) that helps open an ankle opening of an upper to facilitate foot entry, as described with respect to the heel spring device 2710. The heel spring device 3010 includes a pair of intermediate blades 3083 arranged as an elliptical spring between the base 2622 and a middle one of the blades 2781 and connected to the base 2622 and the middle blade 2781, respectively. The heel spring device 3010 also includes a pair of intermediate blades 3085 arranged as an elliptical spring between the top blade and the middle one of the blades 2781 and connected to the top blade and the middle blade, respectively. The intermediate plates 3083, 3085 provide additional bending resistance and store elastic energy to return the heel spring device 3010 to the unloaded position after removal of the applied load. The arrangement of the slats 2781 and the intermediate slats 3083, 3085 can be referred to as a grid.

74 shows an article of footwear 3112 with another embodiment of a heel spring device 3110. Like reference numerals refer to components identical to those described with respect to the article of footwear 2612 and the heel spring device 2610. The heel spring device 3110 has a similar function to the heel spring device 2610, but consists of a fluid-filled bladder 3115 which has a central segment 3116, a medial side arm 3118 (in 75 shown) that extends downward and forward from the center segment 3116, and includes a lateral side arm 3120 that extends downward and forward from the center segment 3116. The sole structure 2632 is attached to a lower flange 3122 of the bladder member 3115 by adhesive, thermal bonding, or otherwise, such that the sole structure 2632 generally underlies the upper 38 and the heel spring device 3110, as shown in 74 shown.

The application of a downward force F to the center segment 3116 moves the bladder element 3115 from an unloaded position ( 77 ) into a loaded position ( 78 ). The unloaded position is also referred to as an expanded position and the loaded position is also referred to as a collapsed or compressed position. The middle segment 3116 can be referred to as a control bar.

The bladder element 3115 can be thermoformed from a first polymer film 3117 and a second polymer film 3119 (preferably in 76 shown and also referred to as inner and outer film or inner and outer layer). Alternatively, the bladder member 3115 may be blow molded from a preformed polymeric material. The bladder element 3115 may be formed from any of various polymeric materials that maintain a fluid under a predetermined pressure, including a fluid that is a gas, such as air, nitrogen, or another gas. As used herein, a “fluid” includes a gas, including air, an inert gas such as nitrogen, or another gas. Accordingly, “fluid-filled” also includes “gas-filled”.

For example, the bladder element 3115 may be a TPU material, a urethane, polyurethane, polyester, polyester polyurethane and/or polyether polyurethane. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the bladder element 3115 may be formed from films with layers of different materials. The films 3117, 3119 may be laminate membranes consisting of thin films with one or more first layers comprising thermoplastic polyurethane layers alternating with one or more second layers, also referred to herein as barrier layers, gas barrier polymers or gas barrier layers. The second layers may comprise a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol (EVOH) that is impermeable to the pressurized fluid contained therein, as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,082,025 by Bonk et al. disclosed, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The first layer may be arranged to form an outer surface of the polymer film. That is, the outermost first layer may be the outer surface of the bladder member 3115. The bladder member 3115 may also be formed from a material containing alternating layers of thermoplastic polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,713,141 and 5,952,065 by Mitchell et al. disclosed, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Alternatively, the layers may include ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, thermoplastic polyurethane, and a remilled material of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and thermoplastic polyurethane. Films 3117, 3119 may contain alternating layers of thermoplastic urethane (TPU) and a gas have barrier material. In the embodiment shown, the films 3117, 3119 are transparent.

The foils 3117, 3119 are connected to one another at a periphery or a circumference of the bladder element 3115, for example at an upper flange 3123 and the lower flange 3122, also referred to as a base. The lower flange 3122 is continuous and connected to and supports the medial side arm 3118, the middle segment 3116 and the lateral side arm 3120. The films 3117, 3119 are also connected to each other at various interconnection points 3124, referred to as webbing. The upper flange 3123 is thermally bonded, glued or otherwise attached to the top 38 behind the ankle opening 39, as shown in FIG 74 shown. The top part 38 may also be attached to the inner surface of the first polymer film 3117 between the upper and lower flanges 3123, 3122. The connection of the heel spring device 3110 to the upper 38 via the upper flange 3123 allows the upper 38 to move with the heel spring device 3110 between the loaded and unloaded positions. More specifically, the upper 38 moves with the center segment 3116 so that the ankle opening 39 can tilt downward and backward relative to the unloaded position when the heel spring device 3110 is in the loaded position, allowing hands-free entry of the foot.

The connected films 3117, 3119 form various fluid-filled interior cavities 3181A, 3181B, 3181C, 3183A and 3183B, which are fluid-tight and may be pressurized or non-pressurized. In the embodiment shown, the fluid-filled internal cavities 3181A, 3181B, 3181C, 3183A, and 3183B are at the ambient pressure of the environment in which the fluid-filled cavities were sealed. Alternatively, the fluid-filled internal cavities 3181A, 3181B, 3181C, 3183A, and 3183B could be pressurized by fluid introduced into the cavities through one or more inflation ports (not shown), which are then sealed.

In the embodiment shown, each of the fluid-filled internal cavities 3181A, 3181B and 3181C is generally tubular and extends lengthwise along the medial side arm 3118, the middle segment 3116 and the lateral side arm 3120. In some embodiments, the cavities 3181A, 3181B, 3181C extend only along the middle segment 3116. The cavities 3181A, 3181B, 3181C can be referred to as elongated cavities or tubular cavities. Alternatively, fluid-filled cavities of other shapes may extend along the middle segment 3116 and may also extend along the medial side arm and/or the lateral side arm. For example, multiple discrete cavities in the form of tubes that are shorter than the cavities 3181A, 3181B, 3181C or have other shapes may extend along the center segment 3116 and be fluidly connected to one another through channels formed by the films.

The tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B and 3181C are connected to and are in fluid communication with the fluid-filled internal hollow cavities 3183A, 3183B, which may be referred to as medial reservoir 3183A and lateral reservoir 3183B. In this manner, the tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B and 3181C are indirectly in fluid communication with one another via the reservoirs 3183A, 3183B. In some embodiments, channels may also be provided that extend directly between adjacent tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B, and 3181C such that the tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B, 3181C are in direct fluid communication with one another. In some embodiments, only one of the reservoirs 3183A, 3183B is provided, or no reservoirs are provided, and the tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B, and 3181C simply terminate at the side arm that does not have a reservoir. In still other embodiments, each of the tubular cavities may have its own separate reservoir on one or both side arms. The reservoirs 3183A, 3183B are formed by the first and second polymer films 3117 and 3119 at the medial and lateral ends of the tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B and 3181C, respectively. How out 74-75 As can be seen, the device 3110 has a concavity on the inner surface of the first polymer film in both the medial-lateral and vertical directions.

The formed foils 3117, 3119 with inner cavities 3181A, 3181B, 3181C, 3183A, 3183B clamp the heel spring device 3110 into the in 74-77 shown unloaded position. The heel spring device 3110 is pushed into the in. under the applied force F 78 shown loaded position compresses, which stores elastic energy. The applied force F may be, for example, the force of a foot as it is inserted into the ankle opening 39 of the footwear article 3112. In the loaded position, the bladder member 3115 is resiliently deformed when the force F is applied generally over the center segment 3116 of the tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B and 3181C, such that the top of the center segment 3116 is closer to the flange 3122 in the loaded position than in the unloaded position.

A portion of the fluid in the fluid-filled inner cavities 3181A, 3181B and 3181C may be displaced into the reservoirs 3183A, 3183B when the tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B and 3181C are compressed, causing the reservoirs to expand and bulge outward, as shown in 78 shown at reservoir 3183A. The resiliently deformed bladder element 3115 returns to the unloaded position 77 , when the displaced fluid returns from the reservoirs 3183A, 3183B to the tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B and 3181C when the applied force F is removed, thereby expanding the tubular cavities 3181A, 3181B, 3181C to their original shape and the size of the reservoirs 3183A, 3183B is reduced to their original form.

79 shows another embodiment of a heel spring device 3210 for an in 80-82 shown footwear article 3212. The heel spring device 3210 has similar functions and features as the heel spring device 10. For example, the device 3210 has the control bar 14 with the medial side arm 18 and the lateral side arm 20. The device 3210 includes the continuous base 22 which connects the side arms 18, 20 and extends rearwardly from a junction of the control bar 14 with the base 22. The base 22 lies under the control bar 14 with the first side arm 18 on a medial side 41 of a shoe upper 38, the second side arm 20 on a lateral side 43 of the shoe upper 38 and the middle segment 16 of the control bar 14 behind the ankle opening 39 of the shoe upper 38.

The base 22 supports or carries the control bar 14 and is connected to the control bar 14 at the resiliently bendable connection point 3224A, 3224B. The base 22 is continuous and extends between and is connected to the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20. The base 22 is continuous in that it extends from the first side arm 18 to the second side arm 20 without interruptions or connections by other components. The base 22 includes a center segment 26, a first base arm 28 and a second base arm 30, all arranged in a common plane, as with respect to the device 10 of 3 described. The first base arm 28 is spaced apart from the second base arm 30 and both extend from the center segment 26 of the base 22.

The junction 3224A, 3224B includes a first joint 3224A at which the base 22 and the first side arm 18 are connected, and a second joint 3224B at which the base 22 and the second side arm 20 are connected. The first joint 3224A is the connection of the first base arm 28 to the first side arm 18. The second joint 3224B is the connection of the second base arm 30 to the second side arm 20. The joints 3224A, 3224B may be referred to herein as hinge joints or as a hinge connection.

The control bar 14 has an arc shape from the first joint 3224A to the second joint 3224B. Similarly, the base 22 has an arc shape from the first hinge 3224A to the second hinge 3224B. In this arrangement, the control bar 14 and base 22 are configured as a fully elliptical leaf spring as described herein. Device 3210 may be referred to as a heel spring. Furthermore, the device 3210 is a single, unitary, one-piece component. For example, device 3210 may be injection molded as a single, unitary, one-piece component.

The middle segment 16 of the control bar 14 has the ramp-shaped surface 50 which slopes towards the inner circumference of the middle segment 16 between the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 and helps to move the foot downward and forward into the foot receiving cavity 47 to steer when the downward force F is exerted on the control web 16, as described with reference to the device 10. In addition, the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 are each twisted outwardly along their respective longitudinal axes from the connection point 3224A, 3224B near the base 22 to the middle segment 16 of the control bar 14. The outward twisting helps to support the downward and backward movement of the center segment 16 during loading by the foot.

The footwear article 3212 includes a sole structure 3232, and the flexible shoe upper 38 has a medial side 41 and a lateral side 43 and defines an ankle opening 39 and a foot receiving cavity 47, as described with respect to the footwear article 12. The sole structure 3232 includes one or more sole components, which may be sole layers, such as an outsole, a midsole, or a sole layer 3234, which is a unitary combination of an outsole and a midsole and may be referred to as a unisole. The sole layer 3234 lies under the upper part 38 and the foot receiving cavity 47, which is defined by the upper part 38. A lower portion 40 of the shoe upper 38 is attached to the sole layer 3234, for example by adhesive or otherwise far. The base 22 is attached to the sole layer 3234, for example by adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, or otherwise.

Like best in 83 As shown, the sole layer 3234 has a slight recess 3219 in the outer wall 3217 of the sole layer 3234 (ie, in the outer sidewalls and the back wall in the heel region of the sole layer 3234). The recess 3219 is shaped so that the base 22 and the joints 3224A, 3224B can be partially accommodated in the recess 3219. The portions of the base 22 and the hinges 3224A, 3224B housed in the recess 3219 are attached to the outer wall 3217 of the sole layer 3234 in the recess 3219. The device 3210 is thus supported or carried by the sole layer 3234 in the recess 3219.

The control bar 14 is biased into an unloaded position, as in 80 and 82 shown. The unloaded position is also referred to herein as the unloaded position. The control bar 14 The control bar 14 is internally biased into the unstressed position by its material in its formed state. In other words, the material of the control bar 14 is sufficiently rigid that it remains in its natural state in the unloaded position without external stress acting on it, and will return to the unloaded position after elastic bending due to its resilience. In the unloaded position, the center segment 16 is at a first distance D1 from the bottom of the center segment 26 of the base 22, as in 80 indicated by a distance D1 from the top of the middle segment 16 to the bottom of the middle segment 26 of the base 22. The unloaded position is the position of the device 10 in a relaxed, unloaded state (ie, without a vertical force applied to the control bar 14). The control bridge 14 can be under one in 80 shown applied force F, which represents the force exerted by a foot 46 when inserting the foot 46 into the foot receiving cavity 47 (see 5 and 6 ) of footwear article 3212 is exercised. Under such a load, the control bar 14 bends elastically into a loaded position in which the top of the middle segment 16 is a second distance D2 from the underside of the middle segment 26 of the base 22. The loaded position is in 80 shown, in which the control bar 14 and the middle segment 16 are indicated by dashed lines and the middle segment is given the reference number 16A in 80 is specified. The second distance D2 is smaller than the first distance D1. The difference between the distances D1, D2 is the deflection of the device 3210, which may be, but is not limited to, a deflection of 30 mm. The device 3210 is configured so that when pushed under force into the loaded position D2, it bends elastically at the junction 3224A, 3224B, storing elastic energy. When the force F is removed, the stored elastic energy returns the control bar 14 to the unloaded position. As with the device 10, the first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 extend at a first acute angle A1 to the common plane P of the base 22 when the control bar 14 is in the unloaded position. The first side arm 18 and the second side arm 20 extend at a second acute angle A2 to the common plane P of the base 22 when the control bar 14 is depressed. The second acute angle A2 is smaller than the first acute angle A1.

Like best in 82 stated, the base 22 extends around a rearmost portion of the shoe upper 38 from the lateral side 43 to the medial side 41. As in 82 the device 3210 is not attached to the upper part 38 on the medial side 41 or the lateral side 43. Instead, the device 3210 is attached to the upper 38 only via a heel tab 3249 which extends through an opening 3245 in the middle segment 16. The tab 3249 is then sewn to a rear portion 3247 of the top 38 at the seam 3241. A decorative snap fastener 3243 can be attached to the tab 3249. However, in the embodiment shown, the decorative snap fastener 3243 is merely decorative in that it cannot be closed or otherwise attached to the top 38.

84 best illustrates that the medial side arm 18 and the lateral side arm 20 are asymmetrical about a longitudinal axis L that extends between the medial side arm 18 and the lateral side arm 20 through the base 22. The medial side arm 18 is also referred to herein as the first side arm, and the lateral side arm 20 is also referred to as the second side arm. The medial side arm 18 may be shorter than the lateral side arm 20 and may have a greater lateral (ie, outward) curvature than the lateral side arm, similar to the shape of a typical heel region of a foot. Because the heel device 3210 is shaped asymmetrically in this manner and follows a typical foot shape, the pressure of the heel device 3210 against the sides of the foot during wear is thus minimized.

85-86 illustrate another embodiment of a heel spring device 3310 having many of the same features as the heel spring device 10, 3210, with these features included are provided with the same reference numerals. In addition, the base 22 has an inwardly extending flange 3221 that extends continuously from the medial base side arm 28 around the middle segment 26 to the lateral base side arm 30, such that the flange 3221 has a generally U-shape.

Regarding 87 , the heel spring device 3310 is included in a footwear article 3312 that has an upper 38 and a sole structure 3332. The upper 38 is described herein with respect to the heel spring device 10 and is in 87 only shown in dashed lines. The sole structure 3332 includes an outer sole layer 3334 that can serve as a unitary outsole and midsole. The sole structure 3332 also includes an inner sole layer 3345, also referred to as an insole, which overlies the sole layer 3334. 89 shows the sole layer 3334 alone with the insole layer 3345 removed. The sole layer 3334 has a recess 3349 in an upper surface or surface 3347. The recess 3349 is shaped such that the flange 3221 sits in and is at least partially housed in the recess 3349 and is attached to the upper surface 3347 in the heel region of the sole structure 3332. 90 shows the flange 3221, which sits in the recess 3349. The heel spring device 3310 is attached to the sole layer 3334 by attaching the flange 3221 to the upper surface 3347 of the sole layer 3334 in the recess 3349 by thermal bonding, adhesive, or otherwise. The inner sole layer 3345 is then inserted into the upper 38 to rest on the sole layer 3334 over the flange 3221 and on the upper surface 3347 of the sole layer 3334.

Like best in 90 stated, the heel spring device 3310 is asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis L. More specifically, the medial side arm 18 curves laterally more outwardly than the lateral side arm 20 and is also longer in a longitudinal direction (along the longitudinal axis L) than the lateral side arm 20. As with Discussed with reference to the heel spring device 3210, this is a more anatomical shape than a symmetrical heel spring device and avoids undesirable friction and pressure of the side arms 18, 20 on the foot.

The heel spring device 3310 is configured to attach to the upper 38 at forwardmost portions of the side arms 18, 20 and via a heel tab extending through an opening 3245 of the center segment 16, as indicated with respect to the upper 38 shown in FIG 87 is shown in dashed lines, is attached. More specifically, a frontmost section 3371 of an inner surface 3373 of the first side arm 18 contains a medial recess 3374, so that the first side arm 18 is thinner at the medial recess 3374 than behind the medial recess 3374. A frontmost section 3375 of an inner surface 3377 of the second side arm 20 contains a lateral recess 3376 so that the second side arm 20 is thinner at the lateral recess 3376 than behind the lateral recess 3376. The top 38 can be attached to the first side arm 18 at the medial recess 3374 and to the second side arm 20 at the lateral recess 3376 become. For example, the upper part 38 can be connected to the side arms 18, 20 at the recesses 3374, 3376. In some embodiments, the top may include an inner portion 38B and an outer portion 38A, as shown in FIG 88 shown. In such embodiments, the outer portion 38A may include rearwardly extending flanges 38C that are thinner than more forward portions of the outer portion 38A. The flanges 38C fit into and are secured to the inner surfaces 3373, 3377 of the side arms 18, 20 in the recesses 3374, 3376. The outer portion 38A may be less flexible than the inner portion 38B and therefore may provide better anchoring support for the device 3310 to the arms 18, 20 than the inner portion 38B would.

In addition to attaching to the upper 38 (or outer portion 38A) at the forwardmost portions 3371, 3375, the upper 38 may be attached to the heel spring device 3310 via a heel tab 3249 (see Fig 87 and 91 ). The heel tab 3249 extends through an opening 3245 in the center segment 16. After the tab 3249 has been extended through the opening 3245, the tab 3249 can be folded over in a loop and sewn to itself at the seam 3285, as shown in 92 shown. A pin 3283 can then be inserted into an opening 3281 in the loop of the tab 3249. The pin 3283 can be attached to the tab 3249 in the opening 3281 behind the opening 3245, for example by introducing adhesive into the opening 3281. The tab 3249 with the pin 3283 therein can be wider than the opening 3245. For example, the pin 3283 a width of 3286 (see 91 ), which is larger than the width 3287 of the opening 3245. When the pin 3283 is inserted into the looped tab 3249 after the tab 3249 has been pulled through the opening 3245, the pin 3283 helps to hold the tab 3249 in its position through the opening 3245 to hold the extended position and therefore helps to attach the upper part 38 to the device 3310 via the tab 3249. The tab 3249 is thus anchored to the middle segment 16 by the pin 3283.

93-94 show a heel spring device 3410 that has many of the same features as the Heel spring devices 10 and 3210. Like reference numerals are used to refer to such features. The device 3410 includes a lever 3489 that extends laterally outward from the control bar 14. The lever 3489 can also be referred to as a strip extension or shelf or base. The lever 3489 is arranged partly along the medial side arm 18 and partly along the middle segment 16. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the lever 3489 may be located anywhere along the control bar 14. The lever 3489 has an upwardly facing surface 3491 that can be pressed downward in a manner similar to that with respect to the force F on the center segment 16 in 80 described. Depressing the lever 3489 makes it easier to push the control bar 14 from the unloaded position to the loaded position. The surface 3491 has recessed grooves 3493 so that the surface 3491 is not smooth, which improves the ability to grip the surface 3491 when depressing the lever 3489. 94 shows a rear view of a footwear article 3412 that includes the device 3410 attached to a sole layer 3434 and to the upper 38.

The various embodiments of the heel spring devices disclosed herein facilitate foot entry, allowing hands-free entry of the foot into a footwear article.

The following examples represent exemplary configurations of a footwear article, device, and shoe upper disclosed herein.

Example 1: A device configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity at a heel region of a footwear article, the device comprising: a control bar having a center segment, a first side arm extending from the center segment, and a second side arm spaced from the first side arm and extending from the center segment; a continuous base supporting the control bar and connected to both the first side arm and the second side arm; and wherein the control bar is biased to an unloaded position, with the center segment at a first distance from the base, the control bar elastically deforming to a loaded position under an applied force, with the center segment at a second distance from the base which is less than the first distance, and wherein the device stores potential energy which returns the control bar to the unloaded position after removal of the applied load.

Example 2: The device according to Example 1, wherein the base is connected to the first side arm at a first joint and the base is connected to the second side arm at a second joint.

Example 3: The device according to Example 2, wherein: the control bar has an arcuate shape from the first joint to the second joint has an arcuate shape; the base has an arc shape from the first joint to the second joint; and the control bar and base are configured as a fully elliptical leaf spring.

Example 4: The device of any of Examples 2-3, wherein: the base includes a center segment, a first base arm and a second base arm, all disposed in a common plane; the first base arm is spaced apart from the second base arm and both extend from the center segment of the base; the first base arm and the first side arm are connected at the first joint; the second base arm and the second side arm are connected at the second joint; the first side arm and the second side arm extend at an acute angle to the common plane of the base when the control bar is in the unloaded position; the first side arm and the second side arm extend at a second acute angle to the common plane of the base when the control bar is in the loaded position; and the second acute angle is smaller than the first acute angle.

Example 5: The device of any of Examples 1-4, wherein the center segment of the control bar has a ramped surface sloping to an inner periphery of the center segment between the first side arm and the second side arm.

Example 6: The device according to any of Examples 1-5, wherein the first side arm and the second side arm are each twisted outwardly along their respective longitudinal axes from the base to the central segment of the control bar.

Example 7: The device of any of Examples 1-6, wherein the first side arm and the second side arm are asymmetrical about a longitudinal axis extending through the base between the first side arm and the second side arm.

Example 8: The device of any of Examples 1-7, wherein the base has an inwardly extending flange.

Example 9: The device according to Example 8 in combination with a shoe sole structure having a foot receiving surface with a recess in a heel area; and wherein the flange sits in the recess and is attached to the foot receiving surface.

Example 10: The device according to any of Examples 1-7 in combination with a shoe sole structure having an outer wall with a recess in a heel region; and wherein the base of the device is at least partially placed in the recess and is attached to the outer wall of the sole structure.

Example 11: The device according to any of Examples 1-10 in combination with a shoe upper defining at least a portion of an ankle opening, the base lying under the control bar, the first side arm being on a medial side of the shoe upper, the second Side arm is located on a lateral side of the shoe upper and the center segment of the control bar is located behind the ankle opening.

Example 12: The device of Example 11, wherein a frontmost portion of an inner surface of the first side arm includes a medial recess such that the first side arm is thinner at the medial recess than behind the medial recess, and a frontmost portion of an inner surface or - surface of the second side arm contains a lateral recess, so that the second side arm is thinner at the lateral recess than behind the lateral recess; and wherein the top is attached to the second side arm at the lateral recess and to the first side arm at the medial recess.

Example 13: The device according to any of Examples 1-12, wherein the middle segment has an opening; and wherein the upper includes a tab extending through the opening.

Example 14: The device of Example 13, wherein the tab is attached to a rear portion of the shoe upper.

Example 15: The device of Example 13, further comprising: a pin attached to the tab behind the opening, the tab with the pin thereon being wider than the opening so that the tab is secured through the pin on the center segment is anchored.

Example 16: The device of any of Examples 1-15, further comprising: a lever extending outwardly from the control bar.

Example 17: The device according to any of Examples 1-16, wherein the first side arm and the second side arm each have at least one slot extending therethrough.

Example 18: The device of Example 17, wherein the control bar includes a series of slats each extending along the first side arm, the middle segment and the second side arm, and wherein the at least one slot includes a series of slots each extending along of the first side arm, the middle segment and the second side arm and are arranged between adjacent or adjacent slats.

Example 19: The device according to any of Examples 1-16, wherein the device comprises a bladder element containing one or more fluid-filled internal cavities.

Example 20: The device of Example 19, wherein: the one or more fluid-filled interior cavities include: cavities extending along the center segment; and one or more reservoirs disposed on either or both of the first side arm and the second side arm and in fluid communication with the cavities extending along the center segment; and the one or more reservoirs expand as fluid is displaced from the cavities extending along the center segment as the heel spring device elastically deforms under the applied force.

Example 21: The device according to any of Examples 1-18, wherein the first side arm and the second side arm deflect apart when the control bar is in the loaded position.

Example 22: The device of any of Examples 1-18, wherein: one of the control bar and base has an extension extending toward the other of the control bar and base; and the extension is spaced apart from the other of the control bar and the base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and contacts the other of the control bar and the base when the control bar is in the loaded position, thereby limiting further depression of the control bar .

Example 23: The device of Example 22, wherein: the extension extends from the central segment of the control bar to the base; the base has a recess; and the extension is spaced from the base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and extends into the recess when the control bar is in the loaded position.

Example 24: The device according to Example 11, wherein the control bar is embedded in the shoe upper.

Example 25: The device of Example 11, wherein the base has a forwardly extending projection located under the foot receiving cavity adjacent the medial side of the shoe upper and a rearwardly extending projection located under the foot receiving cavity along the lateral side of the upper part of the shoe.

Example 26: The device according to Example 1, wherein the base is coupled to the forwardmost portions of the first side arm and the second side arm.

Example 27: The device of Example 1, with the base extending rearwardly from the control bar.

Example 28: The device of Example 1, with the base extending forwardly from the control bar.

Example 29: The device according to Example 1, wherein the base is a sole structure of a footwear article.

Example 30: The device according to Example 1, wherein the base is a flexible shoe upper.

Example 31: The device of any of Examples 1-30, wherein the device is a single, unitary, one-piece component.

Example 32: A device for facilitating entry of a foot into an article of footwear and configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity at a heel portion of a footwear article, the device comprising: a control bar and a base underlying the control bar; wherein the control bar includes a series of slats, each comprising: a center segment; a medial side arm extending from the middle segment to a medial end connected to a medial side of the base; and a lateral side arm extending from the center segment to a lateral end connected to a lateral side of the base; and wherein the control bar is biased to an unloaded position and elastically bends under an applied force to a loaded position in which at least one center segment is closer to the base than in the unloaded position, storing potential energy that the control bar when removed applied load returns to the unloaded position.

Example 33: The device of Example 32, wherein the control bar and base are configured as a fully elliptical leaf spring.

Example 34: The device of any of Examples 32 and 33, wherein: the control bar defines slots extending between the slats; the slats are spaced apart by the slots when the control bar is in the unloaded position; and one or more of the slots close between the slats so that one or more adjacent center segments contact each other in the loaded position.

Example 35: The device of Example 34, wherein: the slots are parallel to each other; and the outer sides of the slats are flush with one another in the unloaded state.

Example 36: The device of any of Examples 32-35, wherein a lowermost one of the lamellae closest to the base at the middle segment is shorter from the medial end to the lateral end than a topmost one of the lamellae furthest from the middle segment is removed; and where the lowest of the slats is thinner than the top of the slats.

Example 37: The device of any of Examples 32-36, wherein a lowermost one of the slats has a tab extending from a lower edge of the center segment.

Example 38: The device of any of Examples 32-37, wherein an outer surface of the base has a peripheral recess extending from a lower edge of the base.

Example 39: The device of any of Examples 32-38, further comprising: a resilient insert that at least partially fills the slots.

Example 40: The device of Example 39, wherein the resilient insert includes: a sleeve extending along an inside of the slats; and spaced projections extending from the sleeve into the slots.

Example 41: The device of Example 39, wherein the resilient insert is configured as a bellows extending outwardly from an inside of the slats between the slats.

Example 42: The device of any of Examples 39-41, wherein the resilient insert comprises at least one of rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane.

Example 43: A device for facilitating entry of a foot into a footwear article and configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity at a heel region of a footwear article, the device comprising: an elastic corrugated body having a middle segment, a medial side arm extending from the middle segment extending forward, and a lateral side arm extending forward from the middle segment; wherein the corrugated body has alternating ribs and grooves extending lengthwise along the medial arm, the middle segment and the lateral arm; and wherein the corrugated body is biased to an unloaded position and is compressed under an applied force to a loaded position in which one or more adjacent ones of the alternating ribs are closer together than in the unloaded position, thereby storing elastic energy, which returns the corrugated body to the unloaded position after removing the applied load.

Example 44: The device according to Example 43, wherein: the corrugated body comprises a bellows; and the ribs are folds of the bellows and the grooves are folds of the bellows.

Example 45: The device of Example 44, wherein: a first set of the ribs and grooves extends from the medial side arm to the lateral side arm, and a second set of the ribs and grooves extends only along the middle segment.

Example 46: The device of any of Examples 43-45, further comprising an upper flange extending along an upper edge of the corrugated body at the center segment.

Example 47: The device of any of Examples 43-46, further comprising a lower flange extending along a lower edge of the corrugated body on the medial arm, the middle segment and the lateral arm.

Example 48: The device according to any of Examples 43-47, wherein the corrugated body consists of at least rubber or thermoplastic polyurethane.

Example 49: An article of footwear comprising: an upper defining at least a portion of an ankle opening; a sole structure attached to and underlying the upper; and a heel spring device comprising: a center segment attached to the upper behind the ankle opening; a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the middle segment; a lateral arm extending downward and forward from the middle segment; and a base connected to both the medial arm and the lateral arm; wherein the base is attached to the sole structure; and wherein the center segment is biased to an unloaded position, the heel spring device resiliently deforms under an applied force to a loaded position in which the center segment is closer to the base than in the unloaded position, and the heel spring device stores elastic energy that the center segment after removing the applied load, returns it to the unloaded position, with the upper moving with the center segment such that the ankle opening is closer to the sole structure when the center segment is in the loaded position than when the center segment is in the unloaded position .

Example 50: The article of footwear according to Example 49, wherein: the sole structure includes a midsole; and the base is partially embedded in the midsole.

Example 51: The footwear article of any of Examples 49-50, wherein the medial side arm is attached to a medial side of the upper and the lateral side arm is attached to a lateral side of the upper.

Example 52: The footwear article of Example 51, wherein the medial side arm and the lateral side arm flex laterally outward and away from each other when the middle segment is in the loaded position, widening the ankle opening.

Example 53: The article of footwear according to any of Examples 49-52, wherein the middle segment is spaced from the base in the unloaded position and the device is characterized by the absence of a rigid heel counter between the middle segment and the base behind a junction of the medial side arm and the base and behind a junction between the lateral arm and the base.

Example 54: The footwear article according to any of Examples 49-53, wherein the medial side arm and the lateral side arm are each twisted outwardly along their respective longitudinal axes from the base to the middle segment.

Example 55: The article of footwear according to any of Examples 49-54, wherein: one of the center segment and base has an extension that extends at least partially toward the other of the center segment and base; and the extension of the other is spaced from the center segment and base when the center segment is in the unloaded position.

Example 56: The footwear article of Example 55, wherein: the extension extends from the center segment at least partially toward the base; the base has a recess; and the extension is spaced from the base when the center segment is in the unloaded position and extends into the recess when the center segment is in the loaded position.

Example 57: The footwear article according to Example 55, wherein the extension extends from the middle segment at least partially towards the base; and further comprising: a strap having a proximal end attached to the top and a pocket at a distal end; and the extension is located in the pocket with the strap overlying the center segment.

Example 58: The article of footwear according to any of Examples 49-57, wherein: an outer surface of the base has a peripheral recess extending from a lower edge of the base; and the sole structure has a flange seated in the peripheral recess.

Example 59: The article of footwear according to any of Examples 49-58, wherein the middle segment has a ramp-shaped surface that slopes toward an inner circumference of the middle segment between the medial side arm and the lateral side arm.

Example 60: The article of footwear according to any of Examples 49-59, wherein the heel spring device is a single, unitary, one-piece component.

Example 61: The footwear article of Example 49, wherein the heel spring device includes a bladder member containing one or more fluid-filled interior cavities.

Example 62: The footwear article of Example 61, wherein: the one or more fluid-filled interior cavities include: cavities extending along the center segment; and one or more reservoirs located on either or both of the medial arm and the lateral arm and in fluid communication with the cavities extending along the central segment; and wherein the one or more reservoirs expand as fluid is displaced from the cavities extending along the center segment as the heel spring device resiliently deforms under the applied force.

Example 63: A shoe upper comprising: a flexible cover defining at least a portion of an ankle opening; a heel spring device comprising: a control bar having: a center segment attached to the flexible cover behind the ankle opening; a medial side arm extending from the middle segment and attached to a medial side of the flexible cover; and a lateral side arm extending from the center segment and attached to a lateral side of the flexible cover; and a continuous base supporting the control bar and connected to both the medial side arm and the lateral side arm; and wherein the control bar is biased to an unloaded position with the center segment at a first distance from the base, the control bar elastically deforming under an applied force to a loaded position in which the center segment is at a second distance from the Base is located that is smaller than the first distance, and the heel spring device stores potential energy that returns the control bar to the unloaded position after removal of the applied load.

Example 64: The shoe upper of Example 63, wherein the flexible cover is a resiliently stretchable fabric and further comprising a collar attached to the flexible cover and defining a front portion of the ankle opening; whereby the collar is stiffer than the elastically stretchy fabric.

Example 65: The shoe upper of any of Examples 63-64, further comprising: a heel pull tab attached to the flexible cover; wherein the center segment of the control bar has an opening and the heel pull tab extends through the opening.

Example 66: The shoe upper of any of Examples 63-65, wherein the medial side arm and the lateral side arm flex laterally outward and away from each other when the center segment is in the loaded position, expanding the ankle opening of the flexible cover.

Example 67: The shoe upper according to any of Examples 63-66, characterized by the absence of a rigid heel counter between the control bar and the base behind a junction between the control bar and the base.

Example 68: The shoe upper according to one of Examples 63-67, with the medial side arm and the lateral side arm each along their respective longitudinal axis from the base to the middle segment of the control bar are twisted outwards.

Example 69: The shoe upper of any of Examples 63-68, wherein: one of the control bar and base has an extension extending toward the other of the control bar and base; and the extension is spaced apart from the other of the control bar and base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and contacts the other of the control bar and base when the control bar is in the loaded position, limiting further depression of the control bar.

Example 70: The shoe upper of Example 69, wherein: the center segment of the control bar has an extension extending toward the base; the base has a recess; and the extension is spaced from the base when the control bar is in the unloaded position and extends into the recess when the control bar is in the loaded position.

Example 71: The shoe upper of any of Examples 63-70, wherein the center segment of the control bar has a ramped surface that slopes toward the inner circumference of the center segment between the medial side arm and the lateral side arm.

Example 72: The shoe upper of any of Examples 63-71, wherein the heel spring device is a single, unitary, one-piece component.

Example 73: The shoe upper of Example 63, wherein the heel spring device comprises a bladder element containing one or more fluid-filled interior cavities.

Example 74: The shoe upper of Example 73, wherein: the one or more fluid-filled interior cavities include: cavities extending along the center segment; and one or more reservoirs located on either or both of the medial arm and the lateral arm and in fluid communication with the cavities extending along the central segment; and the one or more reservoirs expand as fluid is displaced from the cavities extending along the center segment as the heel spring device resiliently deforms under the applied force.

Example 75: An article of footwear comprising: an upper having a flexible cover defining at least a portion of an ankle opening; a sole structure attached to and underlying the shoe upper; a heel spring device comprising: a control bar having: a center segment attached to the flexible cover behind the ankle opening; a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper; and a lateral side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment along a lateral side of the shoe upper; and a spring operatively connected to the control bar and biasing the control bar to an unloaded position; and wherein the control bar pivots rearwardly to a loaded position under an applied force, storing potential energy in the spring which returns the control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load, the flexible cover moving with the control bar.

Example 76: The article of footwear according to Example 75, further comprising: a pin connected to both the medial side arm and the lateral side arm and extending through the sole structure; and wherein the spring is wrapped around the pin and has one end pivotally attached to the control bar and another end secured relative to the control bar.

Example 77: An article of footwear comprising: an upper having a flexible cover defining at least a portion of an ankle opening; a sole structure attached to and underlying the shoe upper; a heel spring device comprising: a rear control bar having: a center segment attached to the flexible cover behind the ankle opening; a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper; and a lateral side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment along a lateral side of the shoe upper; a front bar comprising: a center segment attached to the flexible cover in front of the ankle opening; a medial side arm extending downward and rearwardly from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper; and a lateral side arm extending downwardly and rearwardly from the center segment along a lateral side of the shoe upper; wherein the front bar and the rear control bar intersect and are secured to each other on the lateral side of the shoe upper and on the medial side of the shoe upper; and wherein the rear control bar pivots rearwardly to a loaded position under an applied force, storing potential energy that returns the rear control bar to the unloaded position upon removal of the applied load tion, with the flexible cover moving with the rear control bar.

“A,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the elements is present. There may be multiple such elements unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g. of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless expressly or clearly stated otherwise in view of the context including the appended claims, are in all cases considered to be modified by the term "approximately". regardless of whether “approximately” actually precedes the numerical value or not. “Approximately” indicates that the specified numerical value allows for slight inaccuracy (with some approximation to the precision of the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; almost). If the inaccuracy provided by "approximately" is not otherwise understood in the prior art with that ordinary meaning, then "approximately" as used herein at least indicates variations that may result from ordinary measurement procedures and use of such parameters. In addition, a disclosure of an area is to be understood as the concrete disclosure of all values and further subdivided areas within the areas. All documents or citations to which reference is made are incorporated herein in their entirety.

The terms "comprise", "include" and "comprise" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of specified features, steps, operations, elements or components, but exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements or Components not out. The order of steps, processes and operations may be changed where possible and additional or alternative steps may be used. As used in this description, the term “or” includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “each of” is intended to include any possible combination of items mentioned, including “each and every” of the items mentioned. The term “each of” is intended to include any possible combination of the recited claims of the appended claims, including “each and every” of the recited claims.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as "up", "down", "upwards", "downwards", "upwards", "downwards", etc. may be used descriptively with respect to the figures without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

While several modes of implementing the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the prior art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects of implementing the present teachings, which are within the scope of the appended Claims lie. It is intended that all information contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be considered as illustrative only and not as restrictive.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 62/413062 [0001]
• US 62/532449 [0001]
• US 6082025 [0160]
• US 5713141 [0160]
• US 5952065 [0160]

Claims (82)

A device for facilitating entry of a foot into an article of footwear and configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity at a heel region of the article of footwear, the device comprising: a control bar, comprising: a middle segment; a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the middle segment; and a lateral arm extending downward and forward from the middle segment; wherein ends of the side arms widen in the longitudinal direction, the device including a medial end and a lateral end, and wherein the medial side arm and the lateral side arm flex and the control bar pivots rearwardly to a loaded position under an applied force and stores potential energy that returns the control bar to an unloaded position after the applied force is removed. Device according to Claim 1 , wherein the medial side arm is wider in a longitudinal direction at a connecting end of the medial side arm than at the middle segment. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the lateral side arm is wider at a connecting end of the lateral side arm in a longitudinal direction than at the middle segment. Device according to one of the Claims 1 - 3 , wherein the device includes a medial connection end and a lateral connection end and the device defines a gap between the medial connection end and the lateral connection end. Device according to one of the Claims 1 - 4 , wherein the medial side arm and the lateral side arm flex and the middle segment pivots downward and backward to a loaded position relative to a connecting end of the medial side arm and a connecting end of the lateral side arm under an applied force and stores potential energy that the middle segment upon removal the applied force returns to an unloaded position. Device according to one of the Claims 1 - 5 , wherein the device is a single, unitary, one-piece component. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 2 , wherein the medial terminal end of the device includes an anterior end or extremity and a posterior end or extremity; and wherein a lower portion of a trailing edge of the medial arm extends downwardly and rearwardly toward the posterior extremity. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the lateral connection end of the device comprises an anterior end or extremity and a posterior end or extremity; and wherein a lower portion of a trailing edge of the lateral arm extends downwardly and rearwardly toward the rear extremity. Footwear item that uses the device according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th contains. A device (1110) for facilitating entry of a foot into an article of footwear (1112) and configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity at a heel region of the article of footwear (1112), the device (1110) comprising: a control bar (1114), comprising: a middle segment; a medial side arm (1118) extending downward and forward from the middle segment; and a lateral side arm (1120) which extends from the middle segment extending below and in front; wherein the medial side arm (1118) and the lateral side arm (1120) bend and the control bar (1114) pivots backwards into a loaded position under an applied force and stores potential energy, which returns the control bar (1114) to an unloaded position after removing the applied force; and wherein the lateral side arm (1120) extends rearward and then forward, then back again, extending from a hinge (1124A, 1124B) to the center segment of the control bar (1114), forming a Z shape. Device (1110) according to Claim 10 , wherein the middle segment pivots downwardly and rearwardly to a loaded position relative to the end of the medial side arm (1118) and to the end of the lateral side arm (1120) under an applied force and stores potential energy that the middle segment has after removal of the applied force returns to an unloaded position. Device (1110) according to Claim 10 or 11 , wherein the lateral side arm (1120) extends downward and forward and then backward and then forward, extending from the middle segment of the control bar (1114) to the end of the lateral side arm (1120), forming a Z shape . Device (1110) according to one of the Claims 10 - 12 , wherein the lateral side arm (1120) has a topmost segment extending downward and forward from the middle segment, a middle segment extending downward and backward from the topmost segment, and a bottommost segment extending from the middle Segment at the end of the lateral arm (1120) extends forward. Device (1110) according to Claim 13 , wherein the lateral side arm (1120) elastically bends at a junction of the top segment and the middle segment as the middle segment pivots rearwardly into the loaded position under the applied force. Device (1110) according to one of the Claims 10 - 14 , with the medial side arm (1118) extending downward and forward and then backward and then forward, passing from the middle segment of the control bar (1114) to the end of the medial side arm (1118), forming a Z shape forms. Device (1110) according to Claim 15 , wherein the medial side arm (1118) has a uppermost segment extending downward and forward from the middle segment, a middle segment extending downward and backward from the uppermost segment, and a lowermost segment extending from the middle Segment at the end of the medial side arm (1118) extends forward. Device (1110) according to Claim 16 , wherein the medial side arm (1118) resiliently bends at a junction of the uppermost segment and the middle segment as the middle segment pivots backwards into the loaded position under the applied force. Device (1110) according to one of the Claims 10 - 17 , wherein the device (1110) is a single, unitary, one-piece component. Footwear item that uses the device according to one of the Claims 10 until 18 contains. Footwear articles (1112), comprising: a shoe upper defining an ankle opening; a sole structure attached to and underlying the shoe upper; a heel spring device (1110), which includes a control bar (1114), which has: a center segment attached to the shoe upper behind the ankle opening; a medial side arm (1118) extending downward and forward from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper; and a lateral side arm (1120) extending downward and forward from the center segment along a lateral side of the shoe upper; wherein the control bar (1114) pivots rearwardly to a loaded position under an applied force and stores potential energy that returns the control bar (1114) to an unloaded position after the applied force is removed. Footwear items Claim 20 , wherein the footwear article further comprises a medial terminal end of the heel spring device (1110) terminating and attached to a medial sidewall of the sole structure, a lateral terminal end of the heel spring device (1110) terminating and attached to a lateral sidewall of the sole structure , and wherein the heel spring device (1110) defines a gap between the medial connection end of the heel spring device (1110) and the lateral connection end of the heel spring device (1110). Footwear items Claim 20 or 21 , whereby the shoe upper moves with the control bar (1114). Footwear items according to one of the Claims 20 - 22 , wherein the heel spring device (1110) is located completely outside the shoe upper and sole structure. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 20 - 23 , wherein the medial side arm (1118) is attached to the medial side of the shoe upper and the lateral side arm (1120) is attached to the lateral side of the shoe upper. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 20 - 24 , wherein the heel spring device (1110) extends along the shoe upper and not along the sole structure at the back of the footwear article between the medial side arm (1118) and the lateral side arm (1120). Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 21 - 25 , wherein the heel spring device (1110) is wider in a longitudinal direction of the footwear article on the medial side wall of the sole structure than on the medial side of the shoe upper, and the heel spring device (1110) is wider in the longitudinal direction of the footwear article on the lateral side wall of the sole structure than on the lateral side of the shoe upper. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 21 - 26 , whereby the medial side arm (1118) extends downward and forward and then backward and then forward, extending from the central segment of the control bar (1114) to the medial sidewall of the sole structure, forming a Z shape. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 21 - 27 , wherein the lateral side arm (1120) extends downwardly and forwardly and then backwardly and then forwardly, extending from the central segment of the control bar (1114) to the lateral sidewall of the sole structure, forming a Z-shape. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 20 - 28 , wherein the medial side arm (1118) has a top segment extending downward and forward from the center segment along the medial side of the shoe upper, a middle segment extending downward and rearward from the top segment, and a bottom segment , which extends forward from the middle segment. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 20 - 29 , wherein the lateral side arm (1120) has a top segment extending downward and forward from the center segment along the lateral side of the shoe upper, a middle segment extending downward and rearward from the top segment, and a bottom segment , which extends forward from the middle segment. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 21 - 30 , wherein the sole structure has a recess on the medial sidewall and the medial connection end of the heel spring device (1110) is housed in the recess on the medial sidewall. Footwear item according to one of the Claims 21 - 31 , where: the sole structure and the shoe upper meet at a bite line and define it; the medial terminal end of the heel spring device (1110) includes an anterior end or extremity and a posterior end or extremity; and both the anterior end or extremity and the posterior end or extremity are below the bite line on the medial sidewall of the sole structure. Footwear items (1112). Claim 32 , wherein a trailing edge of the medial side arm (1118) extends downwardly and rearwardly toward the posterior extremity. Footwear items (1112). Claim 32 , wherein the sole structure has a recess on the medial sidewall and both the front end or extremity and the rear end or extremity are accommodated in the recess on the medial sidewall. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 21 - 34 , where: the sole structure and the shoe upper meet at a bite line and define it; the lateral terminal end of the heel spring device (1110) includes an anterior end or extremity and a posterior end or extremity; and both the front end and the rear end are below the bite line on the lateral sidewall of the sole structure. Footwear items (1112). Claim 35 , wherein a trailing edge of the lateral side arm (1120) extends downwardly and rearwardly toward the rear extremity. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 35 - 36 , wherein the sole structure has a recess on the lateral side wall and both the front end or extremity and the rear end or extremity are accommodated in the recess on the lateral side wall. Footwear article (1112) after one of the Claims 20 - 36 , wherein the middle segment has a thinned portion; and wherein the shoe upper is attached to the center segment at the thinned portion. Footwear article (111) according to one of the Claims 20 - 38 , wherein the footwear article is characterized by the absence of a heel counter between the control bar (1114) and the sole structure at the back of the footwear article between the medial side arm (1118) and the lateral side arm (1120). A device for facilitating entry of a foot into a foot receiving cavity on a heel region of a footwear article, the device comprising: a control bar comprising: a center segment; a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the middle segment; and a lateral arm extending downward and forward from the middle segment; wherein the device is a single, unitary, one-piece component. Device according to Claim 40 , wherein the medial side arm extends downwardly and forwardly from the middle segment to a connecting end of the medial side arm. Device according to Claim 40 or 41 , wherein the lateral side arm extends downwardly and forwardly from the middle segment to a connecting end of the lateral side arm. Device according to one of the Claims 40 - 42 , wherein the device defines a gap between a connection end of the medial side arm and a connection end of the lateral side arm under the control bar such that no part of the device extends from the connection end of the medial side arm to the connection end of the lateral side arm. Device according to one of the Claims 40 - 43 , wherein the medial side arm and lateral side arm resiliently flex to a loaded position when a downward force is applied to the middle segment and store potential energy that returns the control bar to an unloaded position after the applied force is removed. Device according to one of the Claims 40 - 44 , wherein the lateral side arm is wider in a longitudinal direction at a connecting end of the lateral side arm than at the middle segment. Device according to one of the Claims 40 - 45 , wherein the medial side arm is wider in a longitudinal direction at a connecting end of the medial side arm than at the middle segment. Footwear item that uses the device according to one of the Claims 40 until 46 contains. Footwear articles comprising: a shoe upper defining an ankle opening; a sole structure attached to and underlying the shoe upper; a device comprising a control bar having: a center segment attached to the shoe upper behind the ankle opening; a medial side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment along a medial side of the shoe upper; and a lateral arm extending from the middle segment along a lateral side of the shoe upper extends downward and forward; whereby ends of the side arms widen in the longitudinal direction. Footwear items Claim 48 , wherein the footwear article further comprises a medial terminal end of the device terminating at and attached to a medial sidewall of the sole structure, a lateral terminal end of the device terminating at and attached to a lateral sidewall of the sole structure, the device having a gap defined between the medial connector end and the lateral connector end such that no part of the device extends from the medial side arm to the lateral side arm behind the ankle opening under the middle segment. Footwear items Claim 49 , wherein the device is wider in a longitudinal direction of the footwear article on the medial side wall of the sole structure than on a medial side of the shoe upper, and the device is wider in the longitudinal direction of the footwear article on the lateral side wall of the sole structure than on a lateral side of the shoe upper. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 48 - 50 , wherein the medial side arm and lateral side arm resiliently flex to a loaded position when a downward force is applied to the middle segment and store potential energy that returns the control bar to an unloaded position after the applied force is removed. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 48 - 51 , wherein the control bar pivots rearwardly to the loaded position around the medial connection end and the lateral connection end under the applied force and stores potential energy which returns the control bar to the unloaded position after removal of the applied force, with the shoe upper moving with the control bar . Footwear items according to one of the Claims 48 - 52 , with the device located completely outside the shoe upper and sole structure. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 48 - 53 , wherein the medial side arm is attached to the medial side of the shoe upper and the lateral side arm is attached to the lateral side of the shoe upper. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 48 - 54 , with the medial side arm extending downward and forward and then backward, extending from the middle segment of the control bar to the medial side wall of the sole structure. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 48 - 55 , wherein the lateral side arm extends downwardly and forwardly and then backwardly, extending from the central segment of the control bar to the lateral sidewall of the sole structure. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 49 - 56 , where: the sole structure and the shoe upper meet at a bite line and define it; the medial end of the device includes an anterior end and a posterior end; and both the anterior end or extremity and the posterior end or extremity are below the bite line on the medial sidewall of the sole structure. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 48 - 57 , wherein the footwear article is characterized by the absence of a heel counter between the control bar and the sole structure at the back of the footwear article between the medial side arm and the lateral side arm. A device for facilitating entry of a foot into an article of footwear and configured to surround a portion of a foot receiving cavity at a heel region of the article of footwear, the device comprising: a control bar, comprising: a middle segment; and a side arm extending downward and forward from the middle segment, wherein the device is a single, unitary, one-piece component. Footwear items Claim 59 , wherein the article further comprises a side arm extending downwardly and forwardly from the center segment to a connecting end of the side arm, and wherein the side arm is wider in a longitudinal direction at the connecting end of the side arm than at the center segment. Footwear items Claim 59 or 60 , wherein the side arm resiliently bends to a loaded position when a downward force is applied to the center segment and stores potential energy that returns the control bar to an unloaded position after the applied force is removed. Device according to one of the Claims 59 - 61 , with the side arm extending downward and forward and then backward and then forward, extending from the center segment of the control bar to a connecting end of the side arm. Device according to Claim 62 , wherein the side arm has a top segment extending downward and forward from the center segment, a middle segment extending downward and rearward from the top segment, and a bottom segment extending from the middle segment at a connecting end of the side arm extends forward. Footwear item that uses the device according to one of the Claims 59 until 63 contains. Footwear articles comprising: a shoe upper defining an ankle opening; a sole structure attached to and underlying the shoe upper; a device comprising a control bar having: a center segment attached to the shoe upper behind the ankle opening; and a side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment along one side of the shoe upper. Footwear items Claim 65 , wherein the article further comprises a terminal end of the device terminating and secured to a sidewall of the sole structure. Footwear items Claim 65 or 66 , wherein the side arm recoverably bends to a loaded position when a downward force is applied to the center segment and stores potential energy that returns the control bar to an unloaded position after the applied force is removed. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 65 - 67 , with the device located completely outside the shoe upper and sole structure. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 65 - 68 , with the side arm attached to the side of the shoe upper. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 65 - 69 , wherein no part of the device extends from the side arm behind the ankle opening under the middle segment. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 65 - 70 , wherein the device is wider in a longitudinal direction of the footwear article on the side wall of the sole structure than on the side of the shoe upper. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 65 - 71 , with the side arm extending downwardly and forwardly and then backwardly and then forwardly, extending from the center segment of the control bar to the sidewall of the sole structure. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 65 - 72 , wherein the side arm has a top segment extending downward and forward from the center segment along the side of the shoe upper, a middle segment extending downward and rearward from the top segment, and a bottom segment extending from the Middle segment extends forward. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 66 - 73 , where: the sole structure and the shoe upper meet at a bite line and define it; the terminal end of the device includes an anterior end or extremity and a posterior end or extremity; and both the front end and the rear end are below the bite line on the sidewall of the sole structure. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 65 - 74 , wherein the middle segment has a thinned portion; and wherein the shoe upper is attached to the thinned portion on the center segment. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 65 - 75 , wherein the footwear article is characterized by the absence of a heel cap between the control bar and the sole structure at the back of the footwear article. Footwear articles comprising: a shoe upper defining an ankle opening; a sole structure attached to and underlying the shoe upper; wherein the sole structure has an outer wall with a recess; a device comprising a control bar having: a center segment attached to the shoe upper behind the ankle opening; and a side arm extending downward and forward from the center segment along a side of the shoe upper; wherein the device is a single, unitary, one-piece component. Footwear items Claim 77 , wherein the sole structure has a side wall with a recess. Footwear items Claim 78 , wherein an externally exposed portion of the device is housed in the recess and is connected to the side wall at the recess. Footwear according to one of the Claims 77 - 79 , wherein the side arm resiliently bends to a loaded position when a downward force is applied to the center segment and stores potential energy that returns the control bar to an unloaded position upon removal of the applied force. Footwear items according to one of the Claims 77 - 80 , with the device located completely outside the shoe upper and sole structure. Footwear according to one of the Claims 77 - 81 , where: the side arm is a medial side arm and the side of the shoe upper is a medial side; the device further includes a lateral side arm extending downward and forward on a lateral side of the shoe upper; and the footwear article is characterized by the absence of a heel counter between the control bar and the sole structure on a back of the footwear article between the medial side arm and the lateral side arm.

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